Harness – Stewards Inquiry – BALDY FACE
22 February, 2017
Harness
RWWA Stewards today concluded an inquiry into the bonafides of the training of BALDY FACE and comments made by Mr. G Hall Snr on TAB Radio on 27 January 2017. BALDY FACE having been withdrawn by the Stewards as a late scratching from its engagement in Race 9 of the evening of 27 January 2017 upon these matters coming to attention of the race day stewards that day.
Evidence was heard today from trainer Mr G. Hall Snr, and the owner of BALDY FACE, licensed Driver Mr M. Ferguson in addition to considering the evidence obtained on the night in question by the interviews conducted by the Stewards.
The evidence established that BALDY FACE had at all times been exclusively located at the training establishment of Mr Hall Snr and was subject to his normal training regime and programmes to which he exercises appropriate levels of supervision and control as delegated to various staff in accordance with his routine stable management practices. Mr Hall indicated that he at all times maintained full responsibility for the training of BALDY FACE, albeit that Mr Ferguson physically undertook some of the tasks associated with training at Mr Hall’s delegation. Mr Hall Snr further confirmed that all feeding and associated arrangements for BALDY FACE were consistent with his routine stable management practices for all horses in his care and control as trainer.
It could not be established on the evidence that Mr Ferguson was the trainer of the horse rather than the registered trainer, Mr Hall Snr. Accordingly Mr Hall’s comments on radio did not accurately reflect the true situation with respect to the training arrangements of the horse.
Mr Hall Snr, subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 243 and was fined $1,000 for behaviour detrimental to the industry by stating on TAB RADIO in response to questions concerning the prospects of BALDY FACE in Race 9 at Gloucester Park on 27 January 2017 that “It’s Fergie’s horse really, Fergies the main man for that one. It’s his horse and he’s just got it in my name because he hasn’t got a trainers licence”.
In determining penalty Stewards took into account:
- His immediate guilty plea, forthright manner and acknowledgment as to the inappropriate nature of his comments which had led to conjecture as to the bonafides of the training of the horse
- That as a result of the above, the horse had to be withdrawn from an engagement as a late scratching
- That his comments had the potential to reflect poorly on him and the perception of the control and integrity of racing
- Past penalties issued for persons who made inappropriate comments on radio
- That the horse had been subject to embargo pending the outcome of this matter.
Media Contact:
Denis Borovica – GM Racing Integrity
Ph.: 9445 5427
denis.borovica@rwwa.com.au