The Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Integrity Department draw the attention of all industry stakeholders to amendments to the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) which take effect from 1 March 2019.
In order to assist understanding and compliance the HRV Integrity Department provide the below information, however warn this does not include all amendments to the AHRR. All persons covered by the AHRR are required to familiarise themselves with the full list of amendments which can be accessed via this link:
http://www.harness.org.au/rules/ramend_18dec.pdf
Amendment AHRR 96A(4)(b)
The reporting period previously specified under AHRR 96A(4)(b) has been reduced from 28 days to 7 days.
The reporting period remains at 24 hours for a horse which has raced, trialled or been entered for a race or trial within 14 days of the horses death.
Reporting of the death of a horse should occur by using the form accessible via the below link:
https://www.harness.org.au/hra/form-R25A-deregistration-death-form.pdf
The rule now reads:
96A. (4) The owner, or trainer of the horse at the time of its death shall:-
(a) In the case of a horse which dies within 14 days of being entered for or participating in a trial or race notify the Controlling Body of the death within 24 hours of its occurrence.
(b) In any other case notify the Controlling Body of the death within 7 days of its occurrence.
Introduction of AHRR 101C
There has been a new rule (AHRR 101C) introduced to address those horses which suffer cardiac arrhythmia, particularly those on repeated occasions.
The new rule requires trainers to report to the Stewards any time a horse suffers cardiac arrhythmia after a race or trial. The rule also details the action to be taken by the Stewards against a horse, with the level of action increasing with each instance cardiac arrhythmia is detected, with the horse ultimately barred from racing after the third occasion.
The new rule reads:
101C. (1) If a horse suffers cardiac arrhythmia after a race the trainer shall immediately and in any event within 24 hours notify the Stewards.
(2) If the Stewards are satisfied that a horse has suffered cardiac arrhythmia the Stewards shall:
(a) After the first attack stand the horse down from racing for a period of 14 days, require the horse to undergo an ECG prior to a trial and then trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards.
(b) After the second attack stand the horse down from racing for a period of 28 days, require the horse to undergo an ECG before trialling and then trial on two occasions to the satisfaction of the Stewards.
(c) After the third attack, bar the horse for life.
Amendment AHRR 119A(2)
The period in which a horse may be temporarily transferred to another licensed trainer or another person has been reduced from 6 weeks to 14 days.
This period is only applicable after approval has been granted by the Stewards for the transfer to take place in accordance with AHRR 119A(1) which states:
119A. (1) Where a trainer intends to leave his horse with another licensed trainer or another person the trainer must obtain approval from the Stewards prior to doing so.
Trainers seeking permission are to contact the HRV Stewards on (03) 8378 0200.
The rule now reads:
119A. (2) The period in which a horse may be left with another licensed trainer or another person shall not exceed 14 days from the date of approval.
Amendments AHRR 202, 203 & 204
The amendments to AHRR 202, 203 & 204 require that any persons driving, training or performing stablehand duties in connection with the harness racing industry must hold a licence irrespective of where the activity is being conducted.
This necessitated the introduction of a Grade C Trainers licence to break in and pre-train a horse. Further detail regarding this licence type can be viewed at:
https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/media-releases/19-february-2019-hrv-board-approves-licencing-policy-changes/
AHRR 202, 203 & 204 now read:
202. A person shall not drive a horse unless that person holds a driving licence, training licence or a stablehand licence or other licence authorising that activity.
203. A person shall not train a horse unless that person holds a training licence.
204. A person shall not carry out the duties of a stablehand unless that person holds a trainer’s, driver’s or stablehand's licence.
Introduction of AHRR 235B
The introduction of AHRR 235B sees restrictions placed on trainers betting in races where they have a horse competing.
The restrictions are:
- The trainer being prevented from placing a bet on another horse;
- When placing an exotic bet (quinella, trifecta, first 4 etc.) a horse not trained by the trainer cannot be selected to finish ahead of a horse trained by them.
A trainer is already prohibited from ‘laying’ a horse trained by them under the provisions of AHRR 235A.
Trainers are advised that should an offence be found proven under this new rule significant penalties may be imposed.
The new rule reads:
235B. (1) A trainer shall not place a bet on another horse in a race in which he has a starter.
(2) A trainer shall not place a bet on a horse in a race to finish ahead of a horse trained by that trainer in the race.
Amendment AHRR 230, 259(1)(a) & Introduction of AHRR 259(1)(k)
The amendments to AHRR 230 & 259(1)(a) prohibit the communication between licensed and disqualified persons for any matter related to the harness racing industry. This can include, but is not limited to, communication via social media, telephone, text message, email or in person.
The introduction of AHRR 259(1)(k) prohibits persons disqualified from the harness racing industry prohibited from associating with licensed persons from the thoroughbred or greyhound racing industry, including from entering any premises owned or occupied by those persons.
The relevant rules now read:
230. 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.
259. (1) A disqualified person or a person whose name appears in the current list of disqualifications published or adopted by a recognised harness racing authority or a person warned off cannot do any of the following -
(a) associate or communicate with persons connected with the harness racing industry for purposes relating to that industry;
(b) be a member or employee of the Controlling Body;
(c) be an office holder, official, member or employee of a club;
(d) enter a racecourse or any place under the control of a club or Controlling Body;
(e) race, lease, train, drive or nominate a horse;
(f) conduct breeding activities;
(g) enter any premises used for the purposes of the harness racing industry;
(h) participate in any manner in the harness racing industry;
(i) permit or authorise any person to conduct any activity associated with the harness racing industry at his/her registered training establishment;
(j) place, or have placed on their behalf, or have any other interest in, a bet on any Australian harness racing race.
(k) associate with licensed persons connected with the thoroughbred or greyhound racing industry including but not limited to entering any premises owned or occupied by such licensed persons.
Any further information relating to these amendments should be directed to the HRV Integrity Department on (03) 8378 0200.
