The Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board today considered charges issued against licensed trainer-driver David Moran under Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) 216 and 187(2) relating to the nomination of ‘Alla Art’ to race at Ballarat on 19 April 2017.
AHRR 216 states:
A person whether alone or in association with others shall not fraudulently or improperly nominate or start a horse in a race.
AHRR 187(2) states:
A person shall not refuse to answer questions or to produce a horse, document, substance or piece of equipment, or give false or misleading evidence or information at an inquiry or investigation.
It was alleged that Mr Moran, as representative for trainer Laura Crossland, improperly nominated the horse ‘Alla Art’ for the Ballarat race on 19 April 2017 for the purpose of ensuring the race went ahead and knowing that ‘Alla Art’ was injured and would not start in that race. Mr Moran was also charged with giving false evidence during the investigation.
Mr Moran pleaded guilty to both charges and the HRV RAD Board heard submissions regarding penalty.
After considering penalty submissions relating to AHRR 216, which included recent comparable penalties, Mr Moran’s offence record and the seriousness of this particular offence, Mr Moran was issued with a fine of $2000.
In relation to the charge under AHRR 187(2), the HRV RAD Board considered that the false evidence was later acknowledged and was followed by an admission of the facts. Mr Moran was fined the sum of $500 on this charge.
HRV RAD Board – David Moran
Harness Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board