Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards commenced an investigation into the involvement of Mr Shannon Wonson, a disqualified person, in the training of a registered standardbred on Wednesday March 8 and Thursday March 9, 2017.
As a result of Mr Wonson failing to attend a Stewards inquiry on Wednesday March 22, 2017, HRNSW Stewards issued three (3) charges against him pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 259 (1) & (7) as stated:
259. (1) – A disqualified person or a person whose name appears in the current list of disqualifications published or adopted by a recognised harness racing authority or a person warned off cannot do any of the following –
(a) associate with persons connected with the harness racing industry for purposes relating to that industry;
(b) be a member or employee of the Controlling Body;
(c) be an office holder, official, member or employee of a club;
(d) enter a racecourse or any place under the control of a club or Controlling Body;
(e) race, lease, train, drive or nominate a horse;
(f) conduct breeding activities;
(g) enter any premises used for the purposes of the harness racing industry;
(h) participate in any manner in the harness racing industry;
(i) permit or authorise any person to conduct any activity associated with the harness racing industry at his/her registered training establishment;
(7) A disqualified person who fails to comply with this rule is guilty of an offence.
The charges related to Mr Wonson entering a premises used for the purposes of the harness racing industry on Wednesday March 8, 2017, and while on those premises, handling a registered standardbred.
In addition, those charges related to Mr Wonson entering a premises used for the purposes of the harness racing industry on Thursday March 9, 2017, and while on those premises, driving and training a registered standardbred as well as associating with Mrs Christyne Wonson, a person connected with the harness racing industry as a licensed trainer, for purposes relating to that industry.
HRNSW Stewards provided Mr Wonson with an opportunity to attend an inquiry or provide written submissions in response to the charges. No submissions were received.
Consequently, HRNSW Stewards considered the charges and Mr Wonson was found guilty of all three (3) charges.
As a result of having been found guilty of the three (3) charges, Mr Wonson was informed that the three (3) year disqualification period to which he was subject at the time of these offences had recommenced in accordance with AHRR 259A and NSW Local Rule (NSWLR) 259 as stated:
AHRR 259A – In addition to any penalty imposed pursuant to Rule 259(7) the original period of disqualification shall unless otherwise ordered by the Stewards automatically recommence in full.
NSWLR259 (1) – The period of disqualification or warning off of any person, who is disqualified or warned off, who contravenes AHRR 259 (1) shall automatically be deemed to recommence as from the most recent date of such contravention and may also be subject to further penalty.
(2) The provisions of sub-rule (1) shall apply to any person to which AHRR 259 (1) applies, regardless of when such penalty that gives rise to the application of the rule that was imposed.
Consequently, Mr Wonson was informed that the three (3) year period of disqualification had recommenced on March 9, 2017, and will expire at midnight on March 8, 2020.
Mr Wonson was informed of his right of appeal against this decision and has lodged an Appeal.
HRNSW Stewards are considering penalty in relation to the three (3) charges for which Mr Wonson has been found guilty.
MICHAEL PRENTICE | INTEGRITY MANAGER
(02) 9722 6600 • mprentice@hrnsw.com.au
GRAHAM LOCH | CHAIRMAN OF STEWARDS
(02) 9722 6600 • gloch@hrnsw.com.au