On 15 November 2021, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered ten charges issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) under the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) against licensed trainer Laurie Callick. On the day, charges 2, 3, 4 and 5 were withdrawn by HRV Stewards. Laurie Callick pleaded guilty to charges 1, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 before submissions on penalty were heard from the HRV Stewards and Laurie Callick.
On 21 December 2021, the VRT delivered its decision on penalty in regard to charges issued against Laurie Callick under AHRR 240(c); 239A (two counts); 190(1); and 90A(2.9)(a) (two counts);
Charge 1 was issued under AHRR 240(c), which reads as follows:
A person shall not, whether alone or in an association with others, do, permit or suffer anything before, during or after a race which in the opinion of the Stewards or Controlling Body:
- Is improper
This charge related to Laurie Callick being the registered trainer of horses ‘Bo Carson’, ‘Impetuoso’, ‘Killer Dragon’, ‘Mighty Carson’ and ‘Tale Of The Dragon’ between 30 October 2020 and 5 March 2021, when in reality and practice, Mark Callick was primarily responsible for training the horses.
Charge 6 was issued under AHRR 239A, which reads as follows:
A person whose conduct or negligence has led or could lead to a breach of the rules is guilty of an offence.
This charge related to Laurie Callick on 5 March 2021 whilst the registered trainer of the horse ‘Tale Of The Dragon’ did fail to exercise sufficient care, control and supervision of ‘Tale Of The Dragon’ which led to a breach of the AHRR in that the horse was administered a medication on race day.
Charge 7 was issued under AHRR 239A, which reads as follows:
A person whose conduct or negligence has led or could lead to a breach of the rules is guilty of an offence.
This charge related to Laurie Callick on 5 March 2021 whilst the registered trainer of the horse ‘Impetuoso’ did fail to exercise sufficient care, control and supervision of ‘Impetuoso’ which led to a breach of the AHRR in that the horse was administered a medication on race day.
Charge 8 was issued under AHRR 190(1), which reads as follows;
A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances.
This charge related to a urine sample collected from horse ‘Bo Carson’ after it won Race 1 at the Mildura harness racing meeting on 26 January 2021. Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) reported the sample contained cobalt in excess of the allowable threshold.
Charge 9 was issued under AHRR 90A(2.9)(a), which reads as follows;
The holder of a trainer’s licence shall ensure that all persons carrying out the activities of a stable hand are licenced as stable hands.
This charge related to Laurie Callick being aware that between 30 October 2020 and 5 March 2021, Mark Callick was carrying out stable hand activities at his registered training establishment without holding a stable hand licence.
Charge 10 was issued under AHRR 90A(2.9)(a), which reads as follows;
The holder of a trainer’s licence shall ensure that all persons carrying out the activities of a stable hand are licenced as stable hands.
This charge related to Laurie Callick being aware that between 22 January 2021 and 5 March 2021, Joshua Masierowski and Ruby Gleeson were carrying out stable hand activities at his registered training establishment without holding stable hand licences.
Penalty
Charge 1: 9 months suspension. Commencement of the suspension period was backdated to 5 March 2021.
Charge 2: Withdrawn.
Charge 3: Withdrawn.
Charge 4: Withdrawn.
Charge 5: Withdrawn.
Charge 6: $250 fine.
Charge 7: $250 fine.
Charge 8: 9 months suspension. 6 months suspended for 24 months with the remaining 3 months to be served concurrently with charge 1.
Charge 9: $300 fine.
Charge 10: $200 fine.
The VRT also ordered that, under AHRR 195, ‘Bo Carson’ be disqualified from Race 1 at Mildura on 26 January 2021, and that the placings be amended accordingly.
VRT Panel: Judge John Bowman (Chairman) and Judge Marilyn Harbison.
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)