Following a review of the circumstances surrounding Race 3, the Bob Freeman Memorial Monte at Ballarat on 22 February 2015, Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) can confirm the error in failing to review the final 200 metres of the race prior to declaring all clear was attributable to human error.
Chief Steward at the meeting Shane Larkins has accepted full responsibility for the error and has been counselled.
Ln accordance with the terms of Mr Larkins employment contract appropriate action has been taken by HRV Management.
In order to mitigate the risk of such a circumstance occurring in the future, HRV have made a procedural direction to Stewards in regard to all future Monté events, being that all clear is not to be confirmed until the final 200m of each race has been reviewed to ensure that no horse is in breach of Australian Rule of Harness Racing 331.
Harness Racing Victoria