Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards have issued a charge against licensed driver Steven Matson under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 241 which states:
A person shall not in connection with any part of the harness racing industry do anything which is fraudulent or corrupt.
It is alleged that Mr Matson engaged in fraudulent conduct in that he was training the horses ‘Could Be Woody’ and ‘Westvillageemily’ at the time when these horses were registered in the name of another trainer.
HRV Stewards have also issued further charges under AHRR 239A, 216 and 91(1)(a), alleging that Mr Matson was negligent in his conduct; fraudulently nominated ‘Could Be Woody’ and ‘Westvillageemily’ in association with another trainer for the Shepparton harness racing meeting on 28 September 2018; and carried out activities regulated by a trainer’s licence when not the holder of a trainer’s licence.
The charges will be heard by the HRV Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board on a date to be fixed.