On 6 May 2021, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered charges issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against owner and suspended trainer Ricky Ryan under Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) 231(1)(a) and 247.
Charge 1 was issued under AHRR 231(1)(a), which states:
A person shall not:-
(a) threaten
anyone employed, engaged or participating in the harness racing industry or otherwise having a connection with it.
Charge 2 was issued under AHRR 247, which states:
A person attending before the Controlling Body its members or employees, the Stewards, officials, or at any proceeding under these rules, shall not speak or behave in a malicious, intimidatory or otherwise improper manner.
Both charges relate to Mr Ryans’ conduct in the Stewards Room following the running of Race 4 at the Charlton harness racing meeting on Sunday 14th March 2021
Mr Ryan pleaded guilty to both charges before submissions on penalty were made by the HRV Stewards and on behalf of Mr Ryan.
Penalty
Charge 1 – 9-month disqualification, effective immediately.
Charge 2 - $1000 fine, of which $500 was suspended for period of two years.
VRT Panel: Magistrate John Doherty.
The written decisions of the VRT can be found here.
(Please note that VRT Decisions will generally be published with 7-10 days of the date of hearing)