On 3 August 2021, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered two charges issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against licensed trainer-driver Brad Angove under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190(1) and 196C(1)(b).
AHRR 190(1) reads as follows:
A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances.
This charge related to a pre-race blood sample collected from the horse ‘Ebonys Avenger’ prior to it competing in Race 3 at the Tabcorp Park Melton harness racing meeting on 10 March 2021. Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) reported that the sample contained a total carbon dioxide (TCO2) level in excess of the allowable threshold.
AHRR 196C(1)(b) states:
A person must not administer an alkalinising agent in any manner to a horse which is engaged to run in a race:
(b) at any time within one (1) clear day of the commencement of the race
This charge related to Mr Angove administering the alkalinising agents ‘Electrolyte Replacer B’ and bicarbonate of soda to ‘Ebonys Avenger’ on 9 March 2021, which was within one clear day of its engagement at Tabcorp Park Melton on 10 March 2021.
Mr Angove pleaded guilty to both charges before submissions on penalty were heard from the HRV Stewards and Lance Justice on behalf of Mr Angove.
Penalty
The Tribunal imposed the following penalties:
Charge 1 – 18 month suspension (with 12 months suspended for a period of 2 years)
Charge 2 - $3000 fine
The VRT also ordered that, under AHRR 195, ‘Ebonys Avenger’ be disqualified from Race 3 at Tabcorp Park Melton on 10 March 2021 and that the placings be amended accordingly.
VRT Panel: Magistrate John Doherty (Deputy Chairperson) and Amanda Dickens.
The written decisions of the VRT can be found here.
(Please note that VRT Decisions will generally be published within 7-10 days of the date of hearing)