On 21 April 2021, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) handed down its penalty decision in relation to charges laid by the Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against Zac Steenhuis, many of which arose out of events surrounding his conduct at the Mildura Racing Club on 13 April 2019.
Mr Steenhuis pleaded guilty to the following charges under the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR):
- 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.
Mr Steenhuis pleaded not guilty to charge 17, which was issued under AHRR 193(1). After hearing submissions from Mr Steenhuis and the HRV Stewards, the VRT found Mr Steenhuis guilty of this charge.
Mr Steenhuis was found not guilty of the following charges:
- Charges 3, 4, 5, 6 – AHRR 193(1)
- Charges 9, 10, 11, 12 – AHRR 196B
- Charge 16 – AHRR 193(1).
Submissions in relation to penalty were heard by the VRT on 12 April 2021.
The penalty decision of the VRT, including the particulars of the charges, can be found here.
Penalty
Charge 1 - AHRR 193(1) – 18 months disqualification
Charge 2 – AHRR 196B(1) - $2,500 fine
Charge 7 – AHRR 196B(1) – 2 months disqualification
Charge 8 – AHRR 196B(1) – 2 months disqualification
Charge 13 – AHRR 187(2) - $1,000 fine
Charge 14 – AHRR 245 - $1,500 fine
Charge 15 - AHRR 194 - 2 months disqualification
Charge 17 – AHRR 193(1) – 6 months disqualification
Charge 18 – AHRR 230 - $1,000 fine
Charge 19 – AHRR 230 - $,1000 fine
In total, the VRT imposed upon Mr Steenhuis a period of two years and six months disqualification and fines totalling $7,000.
In relation to Charge 17, which involved the stomach tubing of ‘Palanquin’ within 48 hours of a race, ‘Palanquin’ is disqualified from Race 3 at Echuca on 7 February 2017.