Harness – Stewards Inquiry – Race 1 Gloucester Park 2 December 2016 – FIFTH EDITION NZ
7 February, 2018
Harness
The Racing Penalties Appeal Tribunal (RPAT) today delivered its reasons in the appeal by Mr Greg Bond against the convictions and penalties of six months disqualification and twelve months disqualification to be served concurrently for breaches of Rules 209 and 243 respectively of the RWWA Rules of Harness Racing imposed by the Stewards on 2 August 2017.
The hearing of this matter was on 7 September 2017, following which Mr Bond was granted a stay of proceedings pending determination of the matter.
In its published determination issued today the Tribunal unanimously determined;
- To uphold the appeal against conviction with respect to the offence under Rule 209 relating to providing false evidence to the Stewards
- To dismiss the appeal against conviction with respect to the offence under Rule 243 relating to behaviour that was prejudicial to the industry.
The Tribunal further upheld the appeal against penalty with respect to the 12-months disqualification issued for the breach of Rule 243 finding, in part, that “Although I consider the Stewards were right to find Mr Bond guilty of conduct which was prejudicial to the industry, the penalty imposed in all of the circumstances was manifestly excessive.”
Accordingly a fine of $25,000 was determined to be the appropriate penalty which given Mr Bond had already served approximately 1 month of the disqualification imposed by the Stewards prior to being granted a stay of proceedings, the penalty was reduced to a fine of $18,000.
The full reasons of the Tribunal are available at http://www.rpat.wa.gov.au/