Trainers fined for betting on other horses

On 10 November 2021, the Harness Racing Victoria Stewards concluded multiple inquiries which originated as part of a routine audit of the wagering accounts of licensed persons.

Mr David Nunn – Licensed Grade B trainer

After taking evidence from Mr Nunn, and considering evidence gathered as part of the initial investigation, Mr Nunn was issued two charges under AHRR 235B(1) which states:

235B. (1) A trainer shall not place a bet on another horse in a race in which he has a starter.

Charge 1 – The particulars of the charge being that as the trainer of Loyola Rocknrolla, which was engaged to race in Race 4 at the Mildura race meeting on 4 September 2020, Mr Nunn placed a $10 win bet on Courtney Katarina which was also engaged in this race which he was not the trainer of.

Charge 2 – The particulars of the charge being that as the trainer of Rhyflective, which was engaged to race in Race 5 at the Mildura race meeting on 24 October 2020, he placed a $25 win bet on Itzexceptional which was also engaged in this race which he was not the trainer of.

In assessing penalty Stewards considered the following factors:

• Mr Nunn’s guilty plea to both charges and his forthright evidence;
• Mr Nunn’s personal circumstances;
• Mr Nunn’s inexperience as a trainer (licensed 2 months prior to the offending);
• There were no integrity concerns with either race;
• Denunciation and general and specific deterrence;
• Mr Nunn’s prior clear record after being involved in the industry for a number of years;
• The low dollar value of the bets.

Stewards accordingly imposed a $1,000 fine and a one-month suspension of Mr Nunn’s trainer’s licence. Stewards ordered that the period of suspension be wholly suspended for a period of two years providing no offences under Rules 235A or 235B are committed during this time.

Mr Scott Garraway – Licensed Grade B trainer

After taking evidence from Mr Garraway, and considering evidence gathered as part of the initial investigation, Mr Garraway was issued two charges under AHRR 235B(1) which states:

235B. (1) A trainer shall not place a bet on another horse in a race in which he has a starter.

Charge 1 – The particulars of the charge being that as the trainer of Glam Rock, which was engaged to race in Race 4 at the Mildura race meeting on 28 December 2020, Mr Garroway placed a $100 win bet on Lets Hustle NZ which was also engaged in this race which he was not the trainer of.

Charge 2 – The particulars of the charge being that as the trainer of Wilshire Boulevard, which was engaged to race in Race 6 at the Mildura race meeting on 7 May 2021, he placed a $100 place bet on Yoursnmine which he was not the trainer of.

In assessing penalty Stewards considered the following factors:

• Mr Garraway’s guilty plea to both charges and his immediate forthright evidence;
• Mr Garraway’s personal circumstances;
• Mr Garraway’s clear prior offence record;
• The value of the bets involved;
• That there were no integrity concerns with either race;
• The circumstances of the offending which Stewards accepted was inadvertent, however nonetheless amounted to a breach of the Rule;
• Denunciation and general and specific deterrence.

Stewards accordingly imposed a $1,500 fine and a one-month suspension of Mr Garraway’s trainer’s licence. Stewards ordered that the period of suspension be wholly suspended for a period of two years providing no offences under Rules 235A or 235B are committed during this time.

Mr Andrew Vozlic – Licensed Grade A trainer

After taking evidence from Mr Vozlic, considering evidence gathered as part of the initial investigation, Mr Vozlic was issued with a charge under AHRR 235B(1) which states:

235B. (1) A trainer shall not place a bet on another horse in a race in which he has a starter.

The particulars of the charge being that as the trainer of Bezzaboma, which was engaged to race in Race 4 at the Mildura race meeting on 2 April 2020, Mr Vozlic placed a $100 multi bet which as the second of the three legs included Valiant Gem to win Race 4 which he was not the trainer of.

In assessing penalty Stewards considered the following factors:

• Mr Vozlic’s guilty plea and forthright evidence;
• Mr Vozlic’s clear prior offence record with respect to betting offences;
• Mr Vozlic’s personal circumstances;
• Denunciation and general and specific deterrence.

Stewards accordingly imposed a $1,250 fine and a one month suspension of Mr Vozlic’s trainer’s licence. Stewards ordered that the period of suspension be wholly suspended for a period of two years providing no offences under Rules 173, 235A or 235B are committed during this time.

From Harness Racing Victoria