With respect to the actions taken by Victoria Police at the Melton harness racing meeting yesterday involving harness racing participants, Victoria Police has advised Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) its investigation is continuing and that no charges have been issued against the relevant parties.
Regardless and in consideration of the industry HRV Integrity Department has provided the relevant parties, who were yesterday arrested and interviewed by the Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit of Victoria Police, until 4pm on 2 September, 2016, to provide submissions as to why their licenses should not be suspended or other action should not be taken under the provisions of the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR).
HRV Integrity Department takes into consideration that the decision to suspend licenses of participants and/or take other actions are serious measures and thus all available material needs to be considered.
This includes the information from Victoria Police regarding the continuing status of its investigations and the absence of any criminal charges.
With respect to the further progression of the investigation by Victoria Police on 28 August, 2016, HRV is unable to make any further comment at this time.
Harness Racing Victoria