Harness Stewards Inquiry – Trainer/Driver Mr C. Hall
Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA) Stewards had previously adjourned an inquiry on 31 March 2020 into an allegation that prior to race 3 at Gloucester Park on 24 January 2020, Trainer/Driver Mr Clinton Hall made an improper statement/s to Trainer/Driver Mr C. Saligari who had a runner engaged in the race, with regard to the tactics and handling of that runner. The inquiry had been adjourned in order for Mr C. Hall to present documents to the Stewards.
Following receipt of those documents and consideration, on 8 April 2020 Stewards issued Mr C. Hall with the following three charges.
Charge 1 – 227. Offering money or other inducements
A person shall not give or offer any money or other inducement improperly to anyone employed, engaged or participating in the harness racing industry.
The particulars of the charge being that on 23 January 2020, Mr Clinton Hall, being a registered person with RWWA, during a telephone call, did improperly offer licensed trainer Mr Craig Saligari $2000.00 as an inducement to hand up the lead on CROCODILE KID engaged in race 3 at Gloucester Park on 24 January 2020.
Charge 2 – 238. Failure to comply with orders
A person shall not fail to comply with any order, direction or requirement of the Controlling Body or the Stewards relating to harness racing or to the harness racing industry.
The particulars of the charge being that on the 31 January 2020, Mr Clinton Hall, being a registered person with RWWA, failed to comply with the direction of Steward Mr Borovica, the RWWA General Manager of Racing Integrity, by not surrendering his mobile telephone, as directed in writing in a letter from Mr Borovica dated 28 January 2020.
Charge 3 – 187.2 Offences – inquiries
(2) A person shall not refuse to answer questions or to produce a horse, document, substance or piece of equipment, or give false or misleading evidence or information at an inquiry or investigation.
The particulars of the charge being that during the course of an inquiry conducted on 4 March 2020, Mr Clinton Hall, being a registered person with RWWA, refused to answer questions in relation to the subject matter of the inquiry.
At a hearing of the charges today, via teleconference, Mr Clinton Hall pleaded not guilty to the first charge under Rule 227 and guilty to charges 2 and 3 under Rules 238 and 187.2 respectively.
Following further submissions from Mr C Hall in respect to a defence to the charge under Rule 227, Stewards adjourned the matter in order to consider the question of guilt.
Trainer/Driver Mr C. Saligari has been advised that once the matter with Mr C. Hall has been dealt with, he will be required to appear before the Stewards in order to continue with his involvement in this inquiry.
Mr Hall’s licenses with RWWA remain suspended pending the outcome of this inquiry.