The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) today released its decision in relation to an application lodged by the Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards regarding the penalty decision of the HRV Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board on 24 May 2017 in relation to a charge issued against licensed trainer-driver Alison Chisholm.
The VCAT decision can be found here.
VCAT affirmed the decision of the HRV RAD Board in issuing a suspension of Mrs Chisholm’s trainers licence for a period of 12 months. This penalty commenced at midnight on 29 May 2017.
Background
On 24 May 2017, Mrs Chisholm pleaded guilty to a charge issued under Australian Harness Racing Rule 190(1) for presenting the horse ‘Jimmy The Editor NZ’ to race at Tabcorp Park Melton on 16 April 2016 when not free of cobalt, a prohibited substance when present at a concentration of greater than 200µg/L (as it was then). Mrs Chisholm was issued with a 12 month suspension of her trainers licence. The full HRV RAD Board media release can be found here.
On 7 August 2017, VCAT considered the application lodged by the HRV Stewards regarding the penalty decision of the HRV RAD Board as set out above.
VCAT Presiding Member Wentworth heard evidence from Veterinary Pharmacologist Professor Paul Mills, along with submissions and statements on behalf of the HRV Stewards and Mrs Chisholm. After considering all the material tendered, Member Wentworth reserved her decision on penalty.
