HRV RAD Board Panel - Brian Collis QC, John Denahy, Dr Hugh Millar
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The Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board today considered charges issued by HRV Stewards against Mr Ahmed Taiba.
Mr Taiba pleaded guilty to a charge under Australian Rule of Harness Racing (ARHR) 173(1) that reads:
A driver shall not bet in a race in which the driver participates.
The particulars of the charge being that in Race 2 at the Wedderburn meeting at Maryborough on 20 January 2012 Mr Taiba placed a win bet on the horse Wahush, via a Betfair betting account listed in his name, when he then drove Wahush in the relevant race.
After considering submissions from HRV Stewards and Mr Taiba regarding penalty, the HRV RAD Board imposed a fine of $1500.
Mr Taiba also pleaded guilty to a charge under ARHR 239A that reads as follows:
A person whose conduct or negligence has led or could lead to a breach of the rules is guilty of an offence.
The particulars of the charge being that during the period of February 2009 to November 2013, Mr Taiba was at all relevant times the account holder of 3 separate wagering accounts with Sportsbet, Betfair and Tabcorp. During this period, Mr Taiba was negligent in allowing the access and use of such accounts to family members and or associates for betting purposes, when Mr Taiba then participated as a driver in such races.
After considering submissions from HRV Stewards and Mr Taiba regarding penalty, the HRV RAD Board imposed a fine of $500.
In imposing each penalty, the HRV RAD Board acknowledged Mr Taiba’s guilty plea, co-operation in relation to the investigation and a previous unblemished record in 20 years as a licensed participant in the harness racing industry.
