Victorian harness racing licenced participants Nathan Jack, Mark Pitt and Lisa Bartley were today found guilty of charges under Section 195C of the Crimes Act (1958), which relates to engaging in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt the betting outcome of an event or event contingency.
Mr Jack was found guilty of charges relating to Race 4 at Cobram on 22 June, 2015, and the training arrangements of Airbournemagic leading up to the event.
Mr Pitt was found guilty of a charge relating to the aforementioned race.
Ms Bartley was found guilty of charges relating to the training arrangements of Airbournemagic.
Mr Jack and Mr Pitt were convicted and fined $20,000 and $15,000 respectively.
Ms Bartley was fined $5,000 without a conviction being recorded.
In light of the parties being found guilty Mr Jack, Mr Pitt and Ms Bartley have had all harness racing licences suspended. Horses owned by them are prevented from racing or trialling and all three have been excluded from attending any Victorian racecourse. These restrictions were imposed immediately pending submissions being provided as to why these embargoes should not remain in place until the completion of a HRV investigation.
A final decision with respect to these embargoes is expected to be announced by the HRV Integrity Department by 5pm on 19 September 2018.
As today’s decision of the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria is subject to an appeal period, and all parties being required to appear before HRV for further proceedings, HRV will not make any further comment at this time.
-ENDS-