On 25 July 2023, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered eight charges issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against licensed driver Jayden Brewin under Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) 173(1), 173(5), 187(2) and 238.
Charges 1, 2 and 3 were issued under AHRR 173(1), which states:
A driver shall not bet on a race in which the driver participates.
It was alleged that between 10 November 2020 and 7 August 2021, Mr Brewin placed 47 bets on horses he drove in races (Charge 1). It was further alleged that between 11 November 2020 and 5 August 2021 that Mr Brewin placed 49 multi-bets of which 74 legs were on horses that he drove in races (Charge 2). It was also alleged that between 26 August 2020 and 9 August 2021, Mr Brewin placed 46 exotic bets that involved horses he drove in races as well as other horses in the same race (Charge 3).
Charges 4, 5 and 8 were issued under AHRR 238, which states:
A person shall not fail to comply with an order, direction or requirement of the Controlling Body or the Stewards relating to harness racing or the harness racing industry.
It was alleged that Mr Brewin failed to declare betting accounts in his HRV Betting Account declarations for 2019-2020 (Charge 4), 2020-2021 (Charge 5) and 2021-2022 (Charge 8).
Charge 6 was issued under AHRR 173(5) which states:
A driver or trainer shall not place or have any interest in a bet on any betting account other than an account registered in their own name.
It was alleged that on 14 May 2021, Mr Brewin placed a multi-bet through a betting account held by another person. The bets were on horses he drove in each race.
Charge 7 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 Mr Brewin refused to answer a question during an interview with HRV Stewards relating to the identity of the person supplying him with drenches from NSW.
Mr Brewin pleaded guilty to all charges. Prior to the hearing, the parties had come to an agreement as to the penalties to be jointly proposed to the VRT for each charge. However, the question of penalty was ultimately a decision for the VRT.
Penalty
At the hearing, the VRT imposed the penalties jointly proposed by the parties.
Charge 1 - All licences suspended for a period of six months. To be served concurrently with the period of suspension imposed on Charge 3.
Charge 2 - All licences suspended for a period of six months. To be served concurrently with the period of suspension imposed on Charge 3.
Charge 3 - All licences suspended for a period of two years and six months. 18 months of that suspension to be served immediately, with the remaining 12 months to be suspended for a period of two years from the date that the immediate total effective period of suspension has been served.
Charge 4 - All licences suspended for a period of six months. Three of the six months are to be served cumulatively upon the period of suspension imposed on Charge 3.
Charge 5 - All licences suspended for a period of six months. To be served concurrently with the period of suspension imposed on Charge 3.
Charge 6 - Fine of $1,500 to be paid within 28 days.
Charge 7 - All licences suspended for a period of three months. To be served cumulatively upon the period of suspension imposed on Charge 4.
Charge 8 - All licences suspended for a period of six months. To be served concurrently with the period of suspension imposed on Charge 3.
In summary, the total effective penalty to be served is two years suspension. The balance of the suspension imposed on Charge 3 (12 months) is suspended for two years from the expiry date of the immediate period of two years suspension. In addition, Mr Brewin was also fined $1,500.
VRT Panel: Judge John Bowman (Chairperson) and Judy Bourke.
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)