On 6 August 2020, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered three charges issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against licensed trainer Paul Cauchi under Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) 190(1), 187(2) and 190B(1)(b).
AHRR 190(1) reads as follows:
A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances.
This charge related to a blood sample collected from the horse ‘Shesastandout’ prior to it competing in Trial 2 at the Tabcorp Park Melton trial meeting on 21 October 2019. Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) reported the sample contained the prohibited substance meloxicam.
Mr Cauchi was also charged under AHRR 187(2) with providing false and/or misleading evidence about his knowledge of meloxicam when interviewed by HRV Stewards during the investigation.
Mr Cauchi was further charged with a breach of AHRR 190B(1)(b) being that he failed to keep and maintain a log book in accordance with the rules.
Mr Cauchi pleaded guilty to all charges before submissions on penalty were heard from the HRV Stewards and Mr Cauchi.
Penalty
Charge 1 – AHRR 190(1) – $3,000 fine with $1,000 suspended for 12 months
Charge 2 – AHRR 187(2) - $750 fine with $250 suspended for 12 months
Charge 3 – AHRR 190B(1)(b) – $250 fine
VRT Panel: Judge John Bowman (Chairman) and Member Heidi Keighran.
The written decisions of the VRT can be found here.
(Please note that VRT Decisions will generally be published within 7-10 days of the date of hearing)
