On 25 June 2021, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered four charges issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against licensed trainer-driver Robert Walters under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190(1).

AHRR 190(1) reads as follows:

A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances.

Charge 1 related to a urine sample collected from the horse ‘Paddy Mach’ after it won Race 4 at the Maryborough harness racing meeting on 8 July 2019. Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) reported that the sample contained arsenic in excess of the allowable threshold.

Charge 2 related to a urine sample collected from the horse ‘Lady Flora’ after it won Race 3 at the Kilmore harness racing meeting on 18 July 2019. RASL reported that the sample contained arsenic in excess of the allowable threshold.

Charge 3 related to a urine sample collected from the horse ‘Lady Flora’ prior to it competing in Race 7 at the Kilmore harness racing meeting on 17 October 2019. RASL reported that the sample contained arsenic in excess of the allowable threshold.

Charge 4 related to a urine sample collected from the horse ‘Lady Flora’ after it won Race 1 at the Kilmore harness racing meeting on 14 July 2020. RASL reported that the sample contained arsenic in excess of the allowable threshold.

Mr Walters pleaded guilty to all charges before submissions on penalty were heard from the HRV Stewards and Damian Sheales on behalf of Mr Walters.

Penalty

Mr Walters was fined:

Charge 1: $2500 fine, wholly suspended for 12 months.

Charge 2: $2500 fine, wholly suspended for 12 months.

Charge 3: $3000 fine, $2500 suspended for 12 months.

Charge 4: $4000 fine, $1750 suspended for 12 months.

The VRT also ordered that, under AHRR 195, ‘Paddy Mach’ and ‘Lady Flora’ be disqualified from the respective races and that the placings be amended accordingly.

 

VRT Panel: Judge John Bowman (Chairman) and Robert Abrahams

 

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)