On 12 January 2021, Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards filed an application with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to review penalties imposed by the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) on 29 December 2020 against licensed trainer Ricky Ryan. The HRV Stewards sought a review of the penalties imposed by the VRT on charges 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8.
Charges 1 to 3 related to the presentation of ‘Yankee Redback’ on 23 May 2019 and 20 June 2019; and ‘Rose Cooper’ on 20 June 2019, to race when not free of cobalt, a prohibited substance when present above the allowable threshold. Charge 4 related to Mr Ryan placing a bet on another horse in a race in which he had a starter, with the relevant race being Race 1 at Stawell on 23 May 2019. Charge 8 related to Mr Ryan’s conduct at the Tabcorp Park Melton harness racing meeting on 27 July 2019.
The details of the VRT’s decision can be viewed here.
Prior to the hearing on 24 June 2021, the parties came to an agreement as to the penalties on the charges that were to be reviewed by VCAT. The agreed penalties were formalised by VCAT with orders issued on 25 June 2021. The VCAT orders can be viewed here.
The revised penalties to be imposed are as follows:
Charge 1 – 12 months suspension, to be served concurrently with Charge 2
Charge 2 – 18 months suspension
Charge 3 – 18 months suspension, to be served concurrently with Charge 2
Charge 4 – 2 months suspension, to be served cumulatively with Charge 2, of which 1 month of that period will be suspended for 2 years
Charge 8 - $1000 fine, of which $250 will be suspended for 2 years.
The suspensions under Charges 1 to 3 are deemed to commence on 29 December 2020, the date on which the VRT handed down its decision in this matter.