Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards provide notice to participants in the Victorian Harness Racing Industry of additions to the 'Victorian Licensing Policy' and the implementation of the 'Transfer of Horses from Suspended or Disqualified Trainer Policy', to be effective from 1 December 2017.
Victorian Licensing Policy Additions
Background
The HRV Licensing Policy has been amended to formally document the current practices that are undertaken. The majority of the policy remains unchanged and the amendments are provided below.
Purpose
Trial Driver and Re-Instated Driver Requirements:
The requirement for a driver obtaining a licence to drive in races to complete a satisfactory number of trials is imperative for a variety of reasons. Most significantly to ensure the driver displays the required skill competencies and to also establish awareness and a level of understanding of rule and policy obligations upon a driver.
Trainer Financial Requirements:
The financial requirements upon a trainer within the licensing policy are necessary to address the potential risk to the reputation of the industry of a person who cannot meet industry debts. This measure also addresses the potential animal welfare risk of a trainer who does not have the financial means to adequately care for horses under their supervision.
Re-Applying After Disqualification:
Ordinarily through the Show-Cause process for a disqualified person re-applying for a licensee, the participant is usually granted the lowest class of licence in the applicable category. This formalises the current process and it is intended by requiring persons who have been disqualified for a significant period to re-commence the licensing process, it emphasises that a licence is a privilege and the licence status attained ought to be valued and therefore not jeopardised in any way.
Amendments include:
1. Trial driver and re-instated driver requirements:
• Trial drives shall be completed at the following venues:
Ballarat, Bendigo, Cranbourne, Geelong, Kilmore, Mildura, Maryborough, Shepparton, Tabcorp Park Melton, Terang, Swan Hill or another venue previously arranged with HRV Stewards.
2. B Grade Trainer requirements and Trainers re-applying after a period of 6 months or more:
Lodged a completed application form together with: -
Provide a minimum of two (2) work references attesting to your horse handling ability. References from licensed trainers must include – the period they have knowledge of you working with Standardbred horses and the duties undertaken.
Provide a minimum of two (2) credit references (Vet, Farrier, Feed Suppliers etc.) stating that your accounts are paid promptly OR a credit report by contacting a credit reporting body. You can obtain a copy of your credit report free of charge from a CRB within ten (10) days of them receiving your request.
To request a copy of your credit report, contact these national CRB’s:
CRB WEBSITE PHONE
Veda My CreditFile.com.au (Equifax) 1300 762 207
D & B D & B CheckYourCredit 1300 734 806
Experian Experian Credit Services 1300 783 684
Bank account statements in your name for the preceding six (6) month period (to the date your application is submitted to Harness Racing Victoria).
Note - These bank account statements should also be submitted to your chosen Accountant/Bank Manager/Officer to form part of the Accountant Reference declaration accompanying the application form.
Certified Extract of Birth OR Driver Licence.
A certificate of completion of a practical assessment from the Bendigo Harness Racing Training Centre or the Gippsland Harness Racing Training Centre and evidence of enrolment with either training centre for commencement of mandatory training modules.
3. Financial requirements for A grade trainer applications:
Lodged a completed application form together with: -
• Two (2) references from Licensed trainers.
• Provide a minimum of two (2) credit references (Vet, Farrier, Feed Suppliers etc.) stating that your accounts are paid promptly.
• Bank account statements in your name for the preceding six (6) month period (to the date your application is submitted to Harness Racing Victoria).
• Note - These bank account statements should also be submitted to your chosen Accountant/Bank Manager to form part of the Accountant Reference declaration accompanying the application form.
4. Disqualified person re-applying for licence:
• A person who has been disqualified for a period of 12 months or more, and is granted a licence, shall automatically only be granted the highest licence of a Grade C Driver and/or Grade B Trainer and shall meet the relevant requirements detailed above prior to any further upgrade of licence being considered.
5. Driver Relicensing:
• A driver who has previously been licensed to drive in races, but who has not been licensed as a driver, for the below periods shall complete the specified number of satisfactory trials prior to driving in a race:
Not licensed for 12 months: 10 satisfactory trials
Not licensed for greater than 2 years: 15 satisfactory trials
Transfer of Horses from Suspended or Disqualified Trainer Policy
There have been multiple circumstances identified whereby a trainer has been disqualified or suspended under the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR), only for horses previously trained by that person, to be transferred to an immediate family member or a trainer who trains from the same registered training address. This gives rise to the perception that the trainer subject to penalty remains involved in the training, or influencing the training of the horses previously trained by them.
This policy intends to outline to all industry stakeholders that this practice will no longer be permitted, except with the approval of the HRV Stewards.
Approval will only be given should the HRV Stewards be appropriately satisfied of separation between the trainer subject to penalty and the trainer seeking to train a horse covered by the policy.
The HRV Board, HRV Integrity Council and Victorian Trainers and Drivers Association (VTDA) have given support to and recommended the implementation of these changes proposed by HRV Stewards.
Links:
Victorian Licensing Policy
Transfer of Horses from Suspended or Disqualified Trainer Policy
Australian Harness Racing Rules
For further information contact the HRV Integrity Department on 8378 0222.
