On 24 April 2018, The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) heard an application for review lodged by Ms Maryanne Laffan in respect of the decision of the Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board on 8 March 2018 to impose a 12 month disqualification upon Ms Laffan, regarding a breach of Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190(1).
Background
At the HRV RAD Board hearing on 8 March 2018, Ms Laffan was found guilty to a charge issued under AHRR 190(1) for presenting the horse ‘Westvillageemily’ to race at Kilmore on 25 July 2017 when not free of alkalinising agents, a prohibited substance when evidenced by total carbon dioxide (TCO2) at a concentration of greater than 36 millimoles per litre in plasma. Ms Laffan was disqualified for a period of 12 months.
The full HRV RAD Board media release can be found here.
VCAT Hearing
On 24 April 2018, the matter was heard before VCAT Deputy President H Lambrick. Mr Damian Sheales, acting for Ms Laffan, submitted a guilty plea on her behalf before submissions on penalty were heard from Mr Sheales and HRV Stewards. Deputy President Lambrick imposed an 8 month disqualification upon Ms Laffan, which was deemed to commence immediately.
The VCAT decision can be viewed here.
