On 15 June 2021, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) released its decision relating to four charges issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against previously licensed trainer & driver Phillip Walters under Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) 190(1) and 190B(1).
AHRR 190(1) states:
A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances.
Charges 1 & 2, under AHRR 190(1), related to Mr Walters presenting ‘Fan Tays Ya’ to race at Tabcorp Park Melton on 25 August 2018 and at Warragul on 26 August 2018 when not free of the prohibited substance acetazolamide.
Charge 3, under AHRR 190(1), related to Mr Walters presenting ‘Playing Arkabella’ to race at Cranbourne on 13 September 2018 when not free of the prohibited substance recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO).
Charge 4, under AHRR 190B(1), related to Mr Walters’ failing to maintain a log book as required.
Penalty
The VRT adopted the penalties that were agreed upon by both parties, namely:
Charge 1 – $3000 fine
Charge 2 – $3000 fine
Charge 3 – 5 years disqualification, deemed to commence on 23 November 2018, when Mr Walters’ licences were initially suspended.
Charge 4 – $250 fine
The VRT ordered that $3000 of the $6000 in fines from charges 1 & 2 is suspended for a period of 2 years from 7 June 2021.
The VRT also ordered that, under AHRR 195, ‘Fan Tays Ya’ and ‘Playing Arkabella’ be disqualified from the relevant races and that the placings be amended accordingly.
VRT Panel: Judge John Bowman (Chairman)
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)