On 7 December 2018, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) released its decision in relation to an application for review lodged by licensed trainer-driver Darren Cole regarding a penalty decision of the Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board on 19 January 2018.
On 19 January 2018, the HRV RAD Board found Darren Cole guilty of a charge issued under Australian Harness Racing Rule 190(1), for presenting the horse ‘Exciteusrubycee’ to race at Maryborough on 13 April 2017 when not free of cobalt, a prohibited substance when present at a concentration greater than 100µg/L. Mr Cole was issued with a 12-month suspension of his trainer and driver licenses. The full HRV RAD Board media release can be found here
On 28 August 2018, VCAT Senior Member Wentworth heard evidence from Veterinary Pharmacologists Professor Paul Mills and Professor Colin Chapman, and Darren Cole himself, along with submissions on behalf of both parties.
In the VCAT Decision on 7 December 2018, Senior Member Wentworth affirmed the decision of the HRV RAD Board in suspending the licenses of Darren Cole for 12 months, effective from 12 December 2018. The full VCAT decision can be viewed here.
