News & Media

01 June 2012 Harness Review

In January this year, the RWWA Board and Integrity Assurance Committee (IAC) announced that an independent review of harness racing integrity functions was to be conducted by Mr Ron Davies QC in those areas to which the IAC has primary oversight which includes;

(a) Stewards
(b) Drug testing control
(c) Licensing and registration
(d) Handicapping and
(e) Racing appeals

The terms of reference included all aspects of Stewarding operations including but not limited to;

• Resourcing
• Regulatory Structures and existing policies and practices
• Race day and post race meeting procedures and practices
• Stewards Inquiry functions
• Industry expectations including effectiveness and impact of reporting mediums to external and internal stakeholders.

The review was to bench mark the existing practices and identify and recommend areas of improvement and strategies to deliver overall advancements to integrity management in harness racing.

Within a period of six weeks, from early February when Mr Davies commenced, all eligible bodies and other persons were formally conferred with in addition to his attendance at various race meetings and race-night inquiries for the purposes of observation.

Mr Davies has completed his review and submitted his draft report to the IAC.

The report included the statement that "I am able to state categorically that I have found nothing; nor has any assertion been made to me; to suggest any lack of integrity in relation to the panel of stewards".

Further Mr Davies made the finding that "the integrity of the harness stewards both individually and as a panel is not questionable in any way whatsoever"

In addition to these findings a number of recommendations relating to enhancements of integrity functions, operations and resourcing were made by Mr Davies, which will be further considered by the IAC at a June meeting, following which the review document will be published in full in addition to RWWA’s response and outcomes. The anticipated date for the public release of the report and RWWA action areas is late July 2012.

Jim Freemantle
Chairman IAC

Media Contact: Denis Borovica – General Manager Racing Integrity
9445 5427
denis.borovica@rwwa.com.au