On 25 February 2021, the Victorian Racing Tribunal handed down its decision in relation to charges laid by the Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against the following licensed participants:

  • Zac Steenhuis (19 charges);
  • Ryan Duffy (six charges, two of which were laid as alternatives);
  • Kevin Trickey (one charge);
  • Gabriel Steenhuis (two charges); and
  • Michael Steenhuis (two charges).

The majority of the charges arose out of events surrounding conduct at the Mildura Racing Club (thoroughbred) on 13 April 2019. 

A list of the relevant AHRRs referred to appear at the bottom of this media release. *

 

Zac Steenhuis

Mr Z Steenhuis:

  • Pleaded guilty to:
  • Charge 1 - AHRR 193(1)
  • Charges 2, 7, 8 – AHRR 196B(1)  
  • Charge 13 – AHRR 187(2)
  • Charge 14 – AHRR 245
  • Charge 15 – AHRR 194
  • Charges 18 and 19 – AHRR 230.
  • Was found guilty of Charge 17 (AHRR 193(1)) by the Tribunal.
  • Was found not guilty of:
  • Charges 3, 4, 5, 6 – AHRR 193(1)
  • Charges 9, 10, 11, 12 – AHRR 196B
  • Charge 16 – AHRR 193(1).

The particulars of each charge are set out in the Tribunal’s decision.

Submissions as to penalty will be heard by the Tribunal on a future date.

 

Ryan Duffy

Mr Duffy:

  • Pleaded guilty to Charge 3 (AHRR 187(6))
  • Was found guilty of:
  • Charge 1 - AHRR 193(1)
  • Charge 4 – AHRR 187(2)
  • [Note:  The guilty finding on Charge 1 resulted in Charge 5 dropping away];
  • Was found not guilty of Charge 2 (AHRR 196B(1)) and its alternative Charge 6 laid under AHRR 245.

The particulars of each charge are set out in the Tribunal’s decision.

Submissions as to penalty will be heard by the Tribunal on a future date.

 

Kevin Trickey

The Tribunal dismissed the charge laid against Mr Trickey under AHRR 187(5).

 

Gabriel Steenhuis

Mr G Steenhuis:

  • Pleaded not guilty to Charge 1 laid against him under AHRR 193(7);
  • Pleaded guilty to Charge 2 laid against him under AHRR 190(6);
  • Was found not guilty on Charge 1.

The particulars of each charge are set out in the Tribunal’s decision.

The charge proven under AHRR 190(6) alleged that Mr G Steenhuis failed to notify the Controlling Body or the Chairman of Stewards that ‘Bonnie Kash’ would be in the care of Mr Z Steenhuis.

On this charge, the Tribunal imposed a fine of $500 on Mr G Steenhuis. 

 

Michael Steenhuis

Mr M Steenhuis pleaded guilty to both charges laid against him under AHRR 187(2).

The particulars of each charge are set out in the Tribunal’s decision.

Both charges proven under AHRR 187(2) alleged that Mr M Steenhuis gave false evidence to the Stewards on 13 April 2019.

The Tribunal imposed $1000 fines on each AHRR 187(2) charge, resulting in a total fine of $2000 on Mr M Steenhuis.

 

The full decision on this matter has been published by the VRT and can be found here.

 

AHRR 193(1) states:

a person shall not attempt to stomach tube or stomach tube a horse nominated for a race of event within 48 hours of the commencement of the race or event.

AHRR 196B(1) states:

a person shall not without the permission of the Stewards within one (1) clear day of the commencement of a race administer, attempt to administer or cause to be administered an injection to a horse nominated for that race.

AHRR 187(2) states:

a person shall not refuse to answer questions or to produce a horse, document, substance or piece of equipment, or give false or misleading evidence or information at an inquiry or investigation.

AHRR 245 states:

a person shall not direct, persuade, encourage or assist anyone to breach these rules or otherwise engage in an improper practice.

AHRR 194 states:

a person who administers, sells, supplies, distributes or attempts to administer, sell, supply or distribute any substance or preparation that has not been registered, labelled, prescribed or obtained in compliance with relevant State and Commonwealth Legislation is guilty of an offence.

AHRR 230 states:

except with the consent of the Controlling Body a person shall not associate or communicate for purposes relating to the harness racing industry with a disqualified person or a person whose name appears in the current list of disqualifications published or adopted by a recognised harness racing authority.

AHRR 187(6) states:

a person shall not frustrate or endeavour to frustrate an inquiry or investigation.

AHRR 193(7) states:

a person shall not allow or permit another person to attempt to perform or perform any of the actions prohibited by sub-rules (1), (2) or (3).

AHRR 190(6) states:

where a trainer intends to leave another person in charge of a horse in the trainer’s absence, then prior to doing so, the trainer must notify the Chairman of Stewards, and the notification must be in the manner, within the time, and containing the information determined by the Controlling Body or the Chairman of Stewards.

AHRR 187(5) states:

a person shall not abuse, intimidate or be deliberately obstructive of the Stewards.