Stewards Report:
Date: 21 August 2017
Panel: S Shinn (Chair), K Wolsey, K Daly
Stewards today concluded an inquiry adjourned from Tuesday, 15 August 2017 into the driving tactics adopted by Darrel Graham, driver of Corrinyah Conman in Race 3 at Albion Park on that day.
After taking evidence from Mr Graham, viewing the official race footage and giving regard to their own observations, stewards issued a charge under the provisions of Australian Harness Racing Rule 149(2) which reads:
“A person shall not drive in a manner which in the opinion of the stewards is unacceptable.”
Particulars of the charge being, that as the driver of Corrinyah Conman in Race 3 at Albion Park on Tuesday, 15 August 2017, Mr Graham drove in a manner which in the opinion of the stewards was unacceptable in that shortly after the start he restrained that gelding from a favourable one out one back trailing position to a less favourable position three back on the marker peg line to finish in sixth place beaten 8.8 metres.
Mr Graham pleaded not guilty.
Stewards considered Mr Graham’s submissions in support of his plea, however were of the view that the charge could be sustained and formally found him guilty of the charge as issued. Under the circumstances Stewards deemed the appropriate penalty be a suspension of Mr Graham’s licence to drive in races for a period of 4 weeks commencing midnight, 22 August 2017.
Mr Graham was advised of his rights to an internal review.
