The Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards have concluded an inquiry into the activities of then disqualified person Ms Kylie Hughes on 10 April 2019.
The inquiry was commenced on 1 July 2019 where evidence was taken from Ms Hughes and HRV Investigative Steward Mr Russell Anderson prior to being adjourned to allow Ms Hughes to gather and present further evidence.
At the continuation of the inquiry further evidence was taken from Ms Hughes and Mr Anderson prior to Ms Hughes being found guilty of a charge under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 259(1)(g) which states:
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 -
(g) enter any premises used for the purposes of the harness racing industry;
The particulars of the charge related to Ms Hughes being observed on the registered training premises of Mr Eddie Sparkes and/or Brendan Tune on 10 April for the purposes of collecting a horse float for sale to a non-harness racing participant.
In assessing penalty Stewards took into account:
- Ms Hughes’ personal circumstances;
- The seriousness of breaching AHRR 259(1);
- The initial length of the period of disqualification;
- Previous Victorian penalties imposed for similar offending;
- The relatively low level offending involved in the rule breach.
Stewards accordingly imposed a further 6 month period of disqualification backdated to commence on 21 June 2019 the day on which her initial period of disqualification expired and did not order the initial period of disqualification recommence.
Ms Hughes was advised of her rights of appeal.
