Fraudulent/Improper Nominations
To maintain that any horse nominated is a genuine nomination and not nominated purely for the purposes to ensure a race with minimal nominations proceeds in the racing program, Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards remind all participants of their obligations under the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR).
AHRR 216 reads:
A person whether alone or in association with others shall not fraudulently or improperly nominate or start a horse in a race.
False Documents & Online Information
HRV currently receives information from the industry in both document form and by way of online information using HarnessWeb. HRV Stewards remind all participants of their obligations under the AHRR to ensure that any document or online information furnished to HRV is true and accurate, and that such documents or online information are legitimately signed for and/or provided online by the person authorising the contents submitted.
There have been recent instances where it has been found that participants have forged signatures and/or altered the contents furnished to HRV, and thus, have not provided true and accurate information. Such participants have been prosecuted at the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT). Examples of this include, but are not limited to:
- “Nomination Form” (via HarnessWeb)
- “Transfer of Ownership” (via HarnessWeb)
- “Notification of Lease of a Horse” (via HarnessWeb)
- “Notification of Surrender of Lease” (via HarnessWeb)
- “Compulsory Driver’s Medical Examination”
AHRR 241, reads:
A person shall not in connection with any part of the harness racing industry do anything which is fraudulent or corrupt.
Offences under AHRR 216 and 241 are classified as “serious offences” and as such, will be referred to the VRT. HRV Stewards will continue to seek significant penalties for offences under these rules, ranging from fines to periods of disqualification.
In addition to seeking the above penalties for offending under these rules, HRV Stewards may also consider the suitability of a person to be licensed in accordance with the HRV Licensing and Registration Policy (Policy), and whether or not such person is a Fit and Proper Person to be associated with harness racing.
Within the Policy, Part 3 of the Suitability Criteria lists the Relevant Matters to be considered, and in particular, Part 3.1(iv) reads:
3.1 In considering this Suitability Criteria, HRV will consider the following matters:
(iv) Whether the applicant has provided any false or misleading information in support of an application for registration, or failed to disclose an adverse matter described in this Suitability Criteria that later becomes known to HRV, either before or after being granted a licence.
For further information on this please contact HRV Integrity using one of the following options:
HRV Stewards – Phone – 03 8378 0292
Integrity Hotline – Phone – 03 9214 0651 or Email – integrity@hrv.org.au