On 14 June 2024, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered two (2) charges issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against licenced trainer-driver Luke Watson under Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) 190(1) and 190B(1)(b).
Charge 1 was issued under AHRR 190(1), which states:
A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances.
This charge related to a urine sample collected from the horse Online Model after it won Race 1, the “Euston Club Resort 3YO & Older Pace”, at the Mildura harness racing meeting on 3 January 2023. Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) reported the sample contained cobalt in excess of the allowable threshold.
Charge 2 was issued under AHRR 190B(1), which states:
A trainer shall at all times keep and maintain a log book:-
… (b) recording all details of treatment administered to any horse
in his or her care and including as a minimum requirement:
(i) the name of the horse
(ii) the date and time of the administration of the treatment
(iii) the name of the treatment (brand name of active constituent)
(iv) the route of administration
(v) the amount given
(vi) the name and signature of the person or persons
administering and/or authorising the treatment.
This charge related to Mr Watson failing to keep and maintain a log book as required.
Mr Watson pleaded guilty to both charges before submissions on penalty were subsequently heard from Andrew Cusumano, on behalf of the HRV Stewards, and Mr Watson.
Penalty
Charge 1: AHRR 190(1) – 12-month suspension of all licences, with 10 months of that penalty suspended for a period of 24 months.
Charge 2: AHRR 190B(1)(b) – $500 fine with $250 suspended for a period of 24 months.
The VRT also ordered that, under AHRR 195, Online Model be disqualified from Race 1 at Mildura on 3 January 2023 and that finishing order be amended accordingly. Under AHRR 200(1) any prizemoney won by Online Model from the race shall be refunded to HRV.
The penalty on Charge 1 was initially imposed on Mr Watson’s training licence only and was an interim order made by the VRT. The VRT adjourned the matter to 20 June 2024 to hear submissions from the parties as to whether Mr Watson’s driving licence should also be suspended (in addition to his training licence).
On 20 June 2024, after hearing submissions from the parties, the VRT determined that Mr Watson’s driving licence should also be suspended.
As a result, Mr Watson’s training and driving licences were suspended by the VRT for a period of 12 months, with 10 months of that penalty suspended for a period of 24 months. The active two-month suspension commenced at midnight on 15 June 2024.
VRT Panel: The Hon. Shane Marshall (Deputy Chairperson) and 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)