Mr Lloyd Sutton – Inquiry Conducted

On Wednesday 3 February 2016, Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards concluded an Inquiry that commenced on Friday 4 December 2015 following a routine stable inspection at the registered stable address of Licensed Trainer Mr Warren Sambrook the previous day.

Evidence was presented to the Inquiry on 4 December 2015 by Licensed Trainer Mr Warren Sambrook, Licensed Trainer Mr James Sutton (via telephone) and registered Owner Mr Lloyd Sutton. As a consequence of the Inquiry, the registered standardbred LASER IN FLIGHT which was entered to race in Race 3 “The Hogs Breath Cafe Pace” (1720 metres) at the Dubbo Harness Racing Club meeting on Friday 4/12/15 was withdrawn by Order of the Stewards.

The Inquiry was then adjourned and continued at the Dubbo Harness Racing Club on  Wednesday, 3 February, 2016.

After considering the evidence Stewards laid the following charges against Registered Owner, Mr Lloyd Sutton:

Charge 1 – Issued under AHRR 91(1)(a) and (2) in that; “For a period between the 6th September 2015 until the 3rd December2015 he carried on the activities of a stablehand when not the holder of a current Stablehands Licence.”

Mr Lloyd Sutton pleaded guilty and was fined $ 200.

Charge 2 – Issued under AHRR 196B (1), (2) & (3) in that; “On the morning of Thursday 3rd December 2015 he caused an injection to be administered to the registered horse LASER IN FLIGHT when such horse was entered to race in Race 3 “The Hogs Breath Cafe Pace” over 1720 metres at the Dubbo Harness Racing Club meeting on Friday 4th December 2015 and therefore within one clear day of the commencement of a race.”

Stewards found Mr Lloyd Sutton guilty of the charge and disqualified him for a period nine months.

Charge 3 – Issued under AHRR 187 (2), (6) and (7) in that; “He gave false or misleading evidence to the Stewards on 4th December 2015 during the course of an official inquiry.”

Stewards found Mr Lloyd Sutton guilty of the charge and disqualified him for a period eight months.

Stewards ordered this penalty be served concurrently with the penalty issued in regards to Charge 2, in effect meaning that Mr Sutton is disqualified for a period of nine months.

In determining a penalty for each individual charge Stewards took into account the individual plea entered for each charge, the circumstances and related consequences of each charge, the seriousness of each charge and the effect a breach of each charge has on the Harness Racing Industry as a whole.

Stewards further considered Mr Lloyd Sutton’s personal circumstances, the period of time in which he has been involved within the Harness Industry and his offences record in relation to convictions under the same or similar Rules.

Mr Lloyd Sutton was advised of the provisions of a disqualified person and was afforded forty eight (48) hours to sort out his affairs in relation to his part share ownership of the registered horse, LASER IN FLIGHT.

 Mr Lloyd Sutton was advised of his right of appeal the Stewards decisions.

Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 31 racing clubs across the State.  HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.