On 28 August 2018, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) heard an application for review lodged by licensed trainer-driver Darren Cole regarding a penalty decision of the Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board on 19 January 2018, in relation to a charge issued against him by the HRV Stewards.
On 19 January 2018, Mr Cole pleaded guilty to a charge issued under Australian Harness Racing Rule 190(1) for presenting the horse ‘Exciteusrubycee’ to race at Maryborough on 13 April 2017 when not free of cobalt, a prohibited substance when present at a concentration of greater than 100µg/L. Mr Cole was issued with a 12-month suspension of his licenses. The full HRV RAD Board media release can be found here.
On 28 August 2018, VCAT Senior Member Wentworth heard evidence from Veterinary Pharmacologists Professor Paul Mills and Professor Colin Chapman, and Darren Cole himself, along with submissions on behalf of both parties. After considering all the material tendered, Senior Member Wentworth reserved her decision on penalty.
Harness Racing Victoria (HRV)