On 15 April 2024, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered five charges issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against licensed person Chelsea Prothero under Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) 209, AHRR 187(2), and AHRR 91(1)(c).
Charge 1 was issued under AHRR 209, which states:
A person employed, engaged or participating in the harness racing industry shall not knowingly or recklessly furnish false information to the Controlling Body, the Stewards or anyone else.
It was alleged that during an interview on 11 January 2024, as part of Ms Prothero’s application to upgrade her licence from a Stablehand to a Grade B Trainer, Ms Prothero knowingly or recklessly furnished false information to HRV Stewards by stating that she intended to train from her family property in Mildura.
Charge 2 was issued under AHRR 209, which states:
A person employed, engaged or participating in the harness racing industry shall not knowingly or recklessly furnish false information to the Controlling Body, the Stewards or anyone else.
It was alleged that during an interview on 11 January 2024, as part of Ms Prothero’s application to upgrade her licence from a Stablehand to a Grade B Trainer, Ms Prothero knowingly or recklessly furnished false information to HRV Stewards by stating that she immediately intended to train only one (1) or two (2) horses.
Charge 3 was issued under AHRR 187(2), which states:
A person shall not refuse to answer questions or to produce a horse, document, substance or piece of equipment, or give false or misleading evidence or information at an inquiry or investigation.
It was alleged that during an interview on 1 February 2024, Ms Prothero gave false or misleading evidence to HRV Stewards by providing a false date that she travelled to New South Wales (NSW).
Charge 4 was issued under AHRR 187(2), which states:
A person shall not refuse to answer questions or to produce a horse, document, substance or piece of equipment, or give false or misleading evidence or information at an inquiry or investigation.
It was alleged that during a phone interview on 1 February 2024, Ms Prothero gave false or misleading evidence to HRV Stewards by providing a false name of a person involved in the interview.
Charge 5 was issued under AHRR 91(1)(c), which states:
A person shall not carry on an activity regulated by licence –
(c) except in accordance with the terms and conditions of the licence.
It was alleged that on 12 January 2024, immediately after being issued a Grade B Trainer licence, Ms Prothero commenced transferring outside-owned horses into her stable return without the approval of HRV Stewards, and not in accordance with the terms and conditions of her licence.
Ms Prothero pleaded guilty to charges 2, 4, and 5, and pleaded not guilty to charges 1 and 3.
The VRT heard evidence from HRV Stewards relating to charges 1 and 3 and determined Ms Prothero was guilty on both charges.
Penalty submissions were then made on all charges by Andrew Cusumano, on behalf of HRV Stewards, and by Joe Conolly, on behalf of Ms Prothero.
Penalty
Charge 1 – AHRR 209 Suspension of three months, backdated to commence on 1 February 2024 (the date on which Ms Prothero’s licence was suspended pursuant to AHRR 183(d)).
Charge 2 – AHRR 209 Suspension of two months, to be served concurrently with charge 1.
Charge 3 – AHRR 187(2) $1000 fine.
Charge 4 – AHRR 187(2) $1500 fine, $500 of which was suspended for 12 months pending no further breach of a relevant offence.
Charge 5 – AHRR 91(1)(c) $250 fine.
VRT Panel: Justice John Bowman (Chairperson), Dr Andrew Gould & Mr Greg Childs.
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)