Harness Stewards Inquiry – Owner – Rowen Langridge
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) Stewards have finalised an inquiry into comments made by R. Langridge on Twitter and in a phone call to a RWWA employee regarding the field selection for the 2020 Fremantle Cup.
At an inquiry on 30 January 2020, R. Langridge pleaded guilty to a charge under Harness Rule of Racing 248.
Harness Rule of Racing 248: A person shall not say, publish or write or cause to be said, published or written, anything malicious, intimidatory, or otherwise improper about the Controlling Body, its members and employees or the stewards, or anyone else associated with the harness racing industry.
Particulars: That R. Langridge published on Twitter and said in a phone call to a RWWA employee, comments which, in the opinion of the stewards, were improper regarding the field selection for the 2020 Fremantle Cup.
After reserving their decision to consider penalty, Stewards have now determined the appropriate penalty to be a fine of $3000. Acting under the provisions of Rule 256(5)(a), $1,500 will be suspended for a period of 2 years on the condition that R. Langridge does not re-offend under this or a similar rule in that period.
In determining the matter, stewards took into account the following:
- Mr Langridge’s remorse and guilty plea.
- The serious nature of the comments and allegations made.
- The public nature of the Twitter comments.
- The detriment to the image of harness racing.
- The matter of specific and general deterrence.