On 15 November 2021, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered eight charges issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) against unlicensed person Mark Callick. On the day, charge 2 was withdrawn by HRV Stewards. Mark Callick pleaded guilty to charges 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 before submissions on penalty were heard from the HRV Stewards and Mark Callick.
On 21 December 2021, the VRT delivered its decision on penalty in regard to charges issued against Mark Callick under Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) 241; 216; 245; 193(3) (two counts); 190(1); and 91(1);
Charge 1 was issued under AHRR 241, which reads as follows;
A person shall not in connection with any part of the harness racing industry do anything which is fraudulent or corrupt.
This charge related to Mark Callick causing Laurie Callick to be the registered trainer of horses ‘Bo Carson’, ‘Impetuoso’, ‘Killer Dragon’, ‘Mighty Carson’ and ‘Tale Of The Dragon’ between 30 October 2020 to 5 March 2021, when in reality and practice Mark Callick was training the horses. Mark Callick nominated and raced the horses with Laurie Callick listed as the trainer, and in doing so, he received prizemoney and caused HRV and the betting public to be misled.
Charge 3 was issued under AHRR 216, which reads as follows;
A person, whether alone or in association with others, shall not fraudulently or improperly nominate or start a horse in a race.
This charge related to Mark Callick nominating horses ‘Bo Carson’, ‘Impetuoso’, ‘Killer Dragon’, ‘Mighty Carson’ and ‘Tale Of The Dragon’ to race between 8 November 2020 and 24 February 2021 with Laurie Callick listed as the registered trainer when in reality and practice Mark Callick was training the horses.
Charge 4 was issued under AHRR 245, which reads as follows;
A person shall not direct, persuade, encourage or assist anyone to breach these rules or otherwise engage in an improper practice.
This charge related to Mark Callick conducting activities that required a licence despite not holding such licence, and in doing so, he assisted Laurie Callick to breach the AHRR; and he instructed unlicensed persons Joshua Masierowski and Ruby Gleeson to breach the AHRR.
Charge 5 was issued under AHRR 193(3), which reads as follows;
A person shall not administer or allow or cause to be administered any medication to a horse on race day prior to such horse running in a race.
This charge related to Mark Callick administering a medication to the horse ‘Tale Of The Dragon’ on 5 March 2021, prior to the horse scheduled to run in Race 2 at the Mildura harness racing meeting on that day.
Charge 6 was issued under AHRR 193(3), which reads as follows;
A person shall not administer or allow or cause to be administered any medication to a horse on race day prior to such horse running in a race.
This charge related to Mark Callick administering a medication to the horse ‘Impetuoso’ on 5 March 2021, prior to the horse scheduled to run in Race 6 at the Mildura harness racing meeting on that day.
Charge 7 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 Mark Callick presenting the horse ‘Bo Carson’ to race at the Mildura harness racing meeting on 26 January 2021. A urine sample was collected from the horse after it won Race 1, which Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) reported the sample contained cobalt in excess of the allowable threshold.
Charge 8 was issued under AHRR 91(1), which reads as follows;
A person shall not carry on an activity regulated by licence -
- If that person is not the holder of a current licence.
This charge related to Mark Callick performing licensed activities at Laurie Callick’s registered training establishment between 30 October 2020 and 5 March 2021, knowing he was not licensed to do so.
Penalty
Charge 1: 2 years disqualified. Commencement of the disqualification period was backdated to 5 March 2021.
Charge 2: Withdrawn.
Charge 3: 2 years disqualified. To be served concurrently with charge 1.
Charge 4: $1000 fine.
Charge 5: 3 months disqualified. To be served cumulatively with charge 1.
Charge 6: 3 months disqualified. To be served cumulatively with charges 1 and 5.
Charge 7: 3 months disqualified. To be served cumulatively with charges 1, 5 and 6.
Charge 8: $1000 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)