The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) yesterday heard an application for review lodged by Mr Timothy O’Brien regarding a penalty decision of the Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board on 2 August 2017.
On 2 August 2017, Mr O’Brien pleaded guilty to a charge issued under Australian Harness Racing Rule 190(1) for presenting the horse ‘Perspective’, as representative for trainer Ms Brooke Hansen, to race at Mildura on 8 April 2017 when not free of alkalinising agents, a prohibited substance when evidenced by total carbon dioxide (TCO2) at a concentration of greater than 36 millimoles per litre in plasma. Mr O’Brien was issued with a $6,000 fine. The full HRV RAD Board media release can be found here.
On 18 January 2018, VCAT Senior Member Anna Dea heard submissions from Stephen Svanosio, on behalf of the HRV Stewards, Mr Bill Allgood, on behalf of Mr O’Brien and Mr O’Brien himself.
After considering all the material tendered, Senior Member Dea reserved her decision on penalty and advised that a decision could be expected in approximately six weeks.
