Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards have issued charges against licensed persons Zac Steenhuis, Ryan Duffy and Gabriel Steenhuis under Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) 193(1), 193(7) and 196B(1) which state:
AHRR 193(1) - A person shall not attempt to stomach tube or stomach tube a horse nominated for a race or event within 48 hours of the commencement of the race or event.
AHRR 193(7) – A person shall not allow or permit another person to attempt to perform or perform any of the actions prohibited by sub-rules (1), (2) or (3).
AHRR 196B(1) – A person shall not without the permission of the Stewards within one (1) clear day of the commencement of a race administer, attempt to administer or cause to be administered an injection to a horse nominated for that race.
It is alleged that Zac Steenhuis and Ryan Duffy stomach tubed the Gabriel Steenhuis-trained ‘Bonnie Kash’ on 13 April 2019, prior to it’s engagement at the Mildura harness racing meeting that evening. It is also alleged that Zac Steenhuis and Ryan Duffy administered an injection to ‘Bonnie Kash’ on the same day.
Further charges have been issued against Zac Steenhuis under AHRR 193(1) and 196B(1) for attempting to treat four horses he trained prior to their engagements at Mildura on 13 April 2019.
As a result of the investigation, additional charges have been issued against Zac Steenhuis under rules which relate to false and misleading evidence, encouraging a person to breach the AHRR, administering unregistered substances and associating with disqualified persons; and against Ryan Duffy for frustrating an investigation and giving false or misleading evidence.
Gabriel Steenhuis has also been charged under AHRR 190(6) for failing to notifying Stewards that ‘Bonnie Kash’ would be in the care of Zac Steenhuis while racing in Mildura.
Unlicensed persons Michael Steenhuis and Kevin Trickey have also been issued charges under AHRR 187(2) and 187(5) respectively for giving false evidence and being deliberately obstructive of the HRV Stewards.
The charges will be heard by the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) on a date to be fixed.
