All industry participants are advised to take notice of the following reminders:
Participant Conduct
HRV Stewards remind participants in the Victorian Harness Racing industry of the importance and expectation to conduct themselves professionally, respectfully, and appropriately at all times so as to represent the industry in the best possible light.
HRV Stewards will not tolerate inappropriate or unacceptable conduct and may therefore impose significant penalties and or refer matters to the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) depending on the circumstances of each particular case.
HRV Expected Behaviour of Participants
Accident or Incident on Track
Participants are reminded in relation to their obligations under the provisions of Rule 205 which states: A person not being a steward, a driver engaged in a race, a club official or someone authorised by the Stewards, shall not be on the track during a meeting.
HRV officials (Stewards, starters, veterinarians etc) and on track officials (Medical officers, track attendants etc) are present during a race meeting to assist with horse/driver welfare and safety in the event of an accident. Therefore it is imperative that the following rule is adhered to by participants to allow trained officials to manage a scene appropriately and within a safe environment.
Veterinary Treatment and Horse Welfare
HRV Stewards remind all licensees that should the on-course veterinarian require a horse to undergo veterinary treatment it may be an offence for the trainer and/or the person in charge to refuse such treatment without providing reasonable explanation to the HRV Stewards officiating at the race meeting.
Such refusal may result in charges being issued under the following Australian Harness Racing Rules and significant penalties imposed:
218. A person having responsibility for the welfare of a horse shall not fail to care for it properly.
218A. (1) A person shall not mistreat a horse.
(2) For the purposes of this rule “mistreat” means to abuse or treat a horse badly, cruelly or unfairly.
218B. (1) A person in charge of a horse presented to race which on the racecourse has been found to be suffering a condition or received veterinary treatment shall not be removed from the racecourse without the express permission of the Stewards.
(2) A trainer, or the person in charge, who removes a horse from the racecourse in contravention of sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.
HRV Stewards further remind licensees of the requirement to cooperate with veterinary and swabbing officials in the course of their duties, which includes however is not limited to, assisting in the process of a horse being trotted up if required for a veterinary examination.
Leading Horses
Participants are reminded of the requirement to have a properly fitted restraining device (i.e. lead bit, stallion chain) when leading horses on a racecourse. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in action being pursued by HRV Stewards.
Rule 220 A person shall not lead a horse at a racecourse other than by way of a lead rope attached to a properly fitted restraining device.
Contacts For HRV Stewards
HRV Stewards
Phone
03 8378 0222
Scratchings / Driver Changes & Weekend Racing
Phone
03 8378 0291
Out of business hours Stewards contact
Phone
9214 0650
Integrity Hotline
Phone
03 9214 0651
Email
integrity@hrv.org.au
Integrity Matters
Email
integritymatters@hrv.org.au
