Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards have today concluded an inquiry into a matter emanating from the Geelong Harness Racing meeting on 31 July 2016, involving former licensed trainer and driver Mr Scott Gill.
In accordance with Australian Rule of Harness Racing (ARHR) 183(d), which states:
Pending the outcome of an inquiry, investigation or objection, or where a person has been charged with an offence, the Stewards may direct one or more of the following that a licence or any other type of authority or permission be suspended,
HRV Stewards initially suspended Mr Gill’s trainer and driver licences as of 31 July 2016, until such time as an inquiry was conducted into Mr Gill’s failure to provide a urine sample when directed to do so by HRV Stewards at the Geelong Harness Racing meeting on 31 July 2016. Given evidence tendered by Mr Gill, HRV Stewards provided Mr Gill a further opportunity to provide a urine sample on 1 August 2016, however Mr Gill refused to do so and he then elected to relinquish his licenses with HRV.
After considering all of the evidence tendered, Mr Gill was subsequently found guilty of a charge under ARHR 250A (1)(b) which states:
A person carrying on or purporting to carry on an activity regulated by licence at any time or carrying on official duties at a meeting commits an offence if he or she refuses or fails to deliver a sample as directed by the Stewards, or tampers with, adulterates, alters, substitutes or in any way hinders the collection of such sample or attempts to do any of those things.
The particulars of the charge being that at the Geelong Harness Racing meeting conducted on 31 July 2016, Mr Gill as the trainer and driver of Shell Green in Race 3 the ‘Flying Brick Draught Cider Pace’, failed to provide a urine sample as directed by the Stewards and furthermore after being provided another opportunity to deliver a urine sample at his registered address on 1 August 2016, Mr Gill refused to provide a urine sample when directed by Stewards to do so.
Mr Gill was disqualified for a period of six (6) months with immediate effect.
In assessing penalty Stewards considered the following factors:
- That Mr Gill had voluntarily relinquished his trainer and driver licence with HRV on 1 August 2016;
- Mr Gill’s previous long standing and clear prior record in the industry;
- Previous penalties under the relevant rule;
- That such offence is considered to be serious in nature;
- That any penalty in this instance required a general and specific deterrent in relation to such conduct.
Mr Gill was advised of his rights of appeal and notified that any future application for a licence will be subject to a ‘Show Cause Sub-Committee’ hearing and him providing a urine sample to Stewards.
