Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) is aware of the increasing availability and use of artificial intelligence (AI) enabled smart wearable devices, including smart glasses and similar technologies. Common examples of these products include, but are not limited to, Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, Google Glass Enterprise Edition and Microsoft HoloLens.
The racing industry has been the subject of increasing scrutiny over recent years, and it has never been more vital to ensure, and be able to demonstrate, continuous improvement in welfare at every stage of a standardbred horse’s life.
On 29 October 2025, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered a charge issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against unlicensed person Peter Murrell under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 231(1)(e).
On 28 October 2025, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered a charge issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against licensed trainer Lindsay Rogers under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190(1).
On 16 October 2025, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered a charge issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against previously licensed trainer-driver George Schembri under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190(1).
The Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Integrity Department advises all trainers to review a recent publication concerning the prohibited substance levamisole.
On 15 October 2025, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered charges issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against licensed Grade A trainer Tayla Nicholson under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190(1) and AHRR 190B(1)(b).
On 8 October 2025, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered a charge issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against licensed Grade B trainer Joe Fenech under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190(1).
Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) has adopted amendments to the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR), which were approved by Harness Racing Australia (HRA) on 18 July 2025.
The date of effect for the following AHRR amendments is 1 October 2025
On 23 September 2025, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered four (4) charges issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against unlicensed person David Vozlic under Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) 231(2), 231(1)(d) and 187(2).
Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) acknowledges and appreciates the valuable role that licensed participants play in promoting harness racing through media interviews and public commentary. Engaging positively with the media helps showcase the sport and strengthen the connection between participants and the public.
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: