12-month suspension for Darren Cole

On 19 January 2018, the Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board determined two charges issued by HRV Stewards against licensed trainer-driver Darren Cole.

Charge 1, under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190(1), which states:

     A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances

It was alleged that Mr Cole presented the horse ‘Exciteusrubycee’ to race at Maryborough on 13 April 2017 not free of cobalt, a prohibited substance when evidenced at a concentration above the allowable threshold.

Charge 2, under AHRR 190B(1), which states:

     A trainer shall at all times keep and maintain a log book

The particulars of Charge 2 were that Mr Cole was unable to produce a log book when requested to do so by HRV Stewards during a stable inspection on 17 May 2017.

Mr Cole entered a plea of guilty to both charges and after hearing submissions on penalty the HRV RAD Board issued the following penalties:

Charge 1: 12-month suspension of all licenses (to commence at midnight on 22 January 2018).

Charge 2: $250 fine

The HRV RAD Board have indicated that they will provide written reasons for the decision in due course.

Harness Racing Victoria