Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards have concluded an inquiry into the “HRV Infectious Disease Declarations” completed by licensed persons Damian Wilson and Laura Crossland at the Shepparton race meeting on 29 June 2020.
During the inquiry, evidence tendered by Mr Wilson, Ms Crossland and licensed stablehand Cody Promnitz was considered along with further evidence provided by Mr Wilson and Ms Crossland at the inquiry.
Upon consideration of all the evidence Stewards issued the following charges under the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR).
Charges
Damian Wilson
Mr Wilson was issued with one charge under AHRR 209 which states:
209. A person employed, engaged or participating in the harness racing industry shall not knowingly or recklessly furnish false information to the Controlling Body, the Stewards or anyone else.
The particulars of the charge were that at the Shepparton race meeting on 29 June 2020, Mr Wilson furnished false information to Harness Racing Victoria and the Harness Racing Victoria Stewards, by failing to declare he travelled interstate within the preceding 14 days when completing an ‘Infectious Disease Declaration’ upon entry to the racecourse.
Laura Crossland
Ms Crossland was issued with two charges under the AHRR.
Charge 1 was issued under AHRR 238 which states:
238. A person shall not fail to comply with any order, direction or requirement of the Controlling Body or the Stewards relating to harness racing or to the harness racing industry.
The particulars of the charge were that upon entry to the Shepparton race meeting on 1 May 2020, Ms Crossland failed to complete an ‘Infectious Disease Declaration’ and undergo temperate testing as required by the Harness Racing Victoria Covid-19 Raceday Requirements.
Charge 2 was issued under AHRR 209 which states:
209. A person employed, engaged or participating in the harness racing industry shall not knowingly or recklessly furnish false information to the Controlling Body, the Stewards or anyone else.
The particulars of the charge were that at the Shepparton race meeting on 29 June 2020, Ms Crossland furnished false information to Harness Racing Victoria and the Harness Racing Victoria Stewards, by failing to declare she travelled interstate within the preceding 14 days when completing an ‘Infectious Disease Declaration’ upon entry to the racecourse.
Penalties
Damian Wilson
In assessing penalty Stewards considered the following factors:
- Mr Wilson’s guilty plea, forthright evidence and clear prior record;
- The seriousness of the rule breach, noting the importance of the Covid-19 Raceday Requirements in ensuring the viability of the industry;
- Denunciation and deterrence factors;
- Mr Wilson’s personal circumstances.
Stewards accordingly imposed a fine of $5,000 with $2,500 of the penalty suspended for the maximum period of 2 years providing there are no further breaches of AHRR 209 or the HRV Covid-19 Raceday Requirements.
Laura Crossland
In assessing penalty Stewards considered the following factors:
- Ms Crossland’s guilty plea, forthright evidence and clear prior record;
- The circumstances of the rule breaches;
- The harness racing industry is Ms Crossland’s sole source of income;
- The seriousness of the rule breaches, noting the importance of the Covid-19 Raceday Requirements in ensuring the viability of the industry;
- Denunciation and deterrence factors;
- Mr Crossland’s personal circumstances, noting she supports three dependent children.
Charge 1 - Penalty
Stewards imposed a fine of $5,000 with $4,500 of the penalty suspended for the maximum period of 2 years providing there are no further breaches of the HRV Covid-19 Raceday Requirements.
In imposing this penalty Stewards noted that this charge was issued directly due to admissions offered by Ms Crossland and that there were significant factors, external to Ms Crossland, which contributed to the offending. Stewards further were mindful that Ms Crossland attempted to alert officials, albeit not sufficiently, to rectify the situation upon entering the racecourse.
Charge 2 – Penalty
Stewards imposed a fine of $5,000 with $2,500 of the penalty suspended for the maximum period of 2 years providing there are no further breaches of the HRV Covid-19 Raceday Requirements.
In total, Ms Crossland was fined $10,000 with $7,000 of the penalty suspended for the maximum period of 2 years providing there are no further breaches of the HRV Covid-19 Raceday Requirements.
