On 6 August 2024, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered a charge issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against licensed trainer-driver Darren Cole under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190(1).
AHRR 190(1) reads as follows:
A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances.
The charge related to a urine sample collected from the horse ‘Aldebaranspartacus’ after it won Race 1, the ‘Aldebaran Park Vicbred Platinum Maiden Trot’, at the Geelong harness racing meeting on 27 September 2023. Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) reported the sample contained cobalt in excess of the allowable threshold.
Mr Cole pleaded guilty to the charge before submissions on penalty were heard from Andrew Cusumano, on behalf of the HRV Stewards, and from Mr Cole.
Penalty
The VRT imposed a suspension of 15 months on Mr Cole, to commence effective immediately.
The VRT also ordered that, under AHRR 195, ‘Aldebaranspartacus’ be disqualified from Race 1 at Geelong on 27 September 2023 and that the placings be amended accordingly. Under AHRR 200(1), any prizemoney won by ‘Aldebaranspartacus’ from the race is to be refunded to HRV.
VRT Panel: Judge Marilyn Harbison (Deputy Chairperson) and Danielle Hikri.
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)