Shepparton – 13 January 2018
Stewards have concluded an inquiry into a complaint lodged concerning the conduct of registered bookmaker Mr Michael Byrne when operating at the Shepparton meeting on 13 January 2018.
Upon consideration of all the evidence tendered Mr Byrne was found guilty of a charge under Victorian Local Rule (VLR) 22(b) in that he refused to lay the place odds he offered in Race 5 on the horse Hey Yo NZ when demanded to do so.
In assessing penalty Stewards were mindful of the following factors:
- Mr Byrne’s prior clear offence record over a very long period;
- The circumstances of the rule breach;
- That such conduct was an isolated incident with no other matters reported previously or since.
Stewards imposed a fine of $1,000 upon Mr Byrne, however in light of the mitigatory factors in his favour Stewards ordered that the penalty be wholly suspended for a period of 2 years providing he does not reoffend under the bookmaking or betting rules during that period.
Melton – 19 January 2018
Stewards concluded an inquiry into the reasons for Noora Viljanen performing the duties of a stablehand with the Emma Stewart stable when not licensed to do so.
After considering all the evidence Stewards issued a charge under Rule 90A(2.9)(a) against licensed trainer Emma Stewart in that she failed to ensure Noora Viljanen was licensed prior to carrying out the activities of a stablehand for the 2017/2018 season with horses trained by her.
Ms Stewart pleaded guilty to the charge.
In assessing penalty Stewards were mindful of the following factors:
- The guilty plea entered by Ms Stewart;
- The usual penalties imposed for similar offences;
- Ms Stewart’s offence record which indicated one prior offence;
- The period Ms Viljanen performed duties whilst unlicensed and the duties which were performed.
Stewards accordingly imposed a fine of $500 upon Ms Stewart. In increasing the penalty from the usual minimum penalty Stewards were particularly mindful of the aggravating factors against Ms Stewart specifically her prior offence record and the length of time Ms Viljanen performed duties whilst unlicensed and the duties which were performed.
Noora Viljanen was fined $200 under Rule 91(1)(a) in that she performed the duties of a stablehand when not licensed to do so. In not taking more severe against Ms Viljanen Stewards were mindful of her inexperience within the industry.
Kilmore – 11 February 2018
RACE 5 - LANCEFIELD BENDIGO BANK PACE (2ND HEAT
Nicole Molander, trainer of My Kiwi Lady NZ, which finished into 11th position beaten 80m, explained that blood tests taken from the mare failed to reveal any apparent abnormal findings. Ms Molander added that My Kiwi Lady NZ had been in season leading up to the race, which may have explained the uncompetitive performance. My Kiwi Lady NZ has been nominated to race at Bendigo, 21 February 2018.