Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards remind everyone involved in the industry about the significant nature of the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) relating to disqualified persons.
It is an offence under AHRR 230 for a person to associate with a disqualified person for purposes relating to the harness racing industry without the consent of the Controlling Body.
AHRR 259 sets out conduct which is not permitted by a disqualified person and includes (but is not limited to) participating in the harness racing industry in any manner; entering premises used for harness racing; or betting on any Australian harness racing event.
HRV Stewards also highlight AHRR 259A which relates to a penalty which may be imposed for a breach of the aforementioned rules, and states ‘[i]n addition to any penalty imposed pursuant to Rule 259(7) the original period of disqualification shall unless otherwise ordered by the Stewards automatically recommence in full’.
Recent investigations in the Mildura area by HRV Stewards revealed a disqualified person to be accessing a registered training establishment and participating in the industry through the transport of registered standardbreds.
Disqualification is a substantial penalty applied to the most serious offences, and as such any breach of these rules is also considered very serious.
