Harness – Gloucester Park Incident Friday 15 March 2019
Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA) Investigators have concluded their investigation concerning an incident that occurred at Gloucester Park on 15 March 2019, where shoes came to be thrown onto the race track as Race 6 was being conducted, with one shoe making contact with runners in that event.
There was no footage of the incident itself to establish how the shoes came to end up on the track, accordingly investigators relied on eye-witness accounts to establish what took place.
A number of persons were interviewed by RWWA Investigator, Mr Paul Criddle, and it was established that:
- Mr Rhys Palmer and Mr Mitchell Bain had engaged in a wrestle in the area near the track.
- During this wrestle one of them had their shoe removed by the other with it thrown on to the track whilst horses were in the back straight.
- Shortly after the other person retaliated by throwing the second shoe, which by that stage the field had entered the straight and therefore made contact with runners.
- On the evidence available, it would appear that the shoes entered the race track due to reckless conduct and not deliberately thrown at the horses.
- Security officers in the vicinity quickly responded and secured the gentleman.
- WA Police attended the incident.
The action of Mr Palmer and Mr Bain to wrestle in a public place, which ended up with two shoes recklessly being thrown onto the race track was poor judgement and careless. Although unintentional, such actions had potential to result in serious consequences for the health and safety of the horses and drivers competing in the race. The health and safety of racing participants is of primary concern to RWWA at all times.
Both Mr Palmer and Mr Bain have acknowledged that such conduct is unacceptable and have expressed apologies and regret for their actions. The matter has also been investigated internally by the Swan Districts Football Club who have at all times co-operated fully with RWWA’s investigation. The outcomes of RWWA’s investigation are consistent with that undertaken independently by the football club.
Any person attending a race meeting is bound to the RWWA Rules of Racing.
In view of the circumstances of this matter including the need to send a clear message that there is no place for such conduct at race meetings, which are for the enjoyment of families and other patrons, Stewards have directed pursuant to the RWWA Rules of Harness Racing that both gentleman be excluded from attending any race meetings in Western Australia for a period of 12-months effective as of 15 March 2019.