Happy Sunrise Posted September 9, 2018 Share Posted September 9, 2018 Don't seem too bad. Hardly life bans at this stage - I doubt 'industry sanctions' will be harsh. Pretty light really in comparison to what some get fined for non-descript drug charges here. Maybe there is hope for those in the dock next week. Guilty verdicts in Australian harness race-fixing scandal One of Australia's premier harness racing drivers has been fined A$20,000 (NZ$21,746) and faces industry sanctions after being found guilty of race-fixing. Nathan Jack, who finished third on the Victorian Drivers Premiership in the just-completed season with 149 winners, was one of three people found guilty in the Wodonga Magistrates' Court on Friday, two years after they were arrested. Fellow driver Mark Pitt was fined A$15,000 (NZ$16,309) and a third driver Lisa Bartley was fined A$5,000 (NZ$5436) after also being found guilty and all three were immediately suspended by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV). The trio were found guilty of engaging in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt the betting outcome of an event or event contingency. The guilty verdict comes as New Zealand Police continue their investigations as part of Operation Inca – a 17-month investigation which culminated in raids on 17 properties in Canterbury, Manawatū and Invercargill that lead to 10 people being arrested last week. The charges related to a race run at Cobram in June of 2015 and the training arrangements of race winner Airbournemagic leading up to the event. "In light of the parties being found guilty, Mr Jack, Mr Pitt and Ms Bartley have had all harness racing licences suspended," said HRV in a statement. "Horses owned by them are prevented from racing or trialing and all three have been excluded from attending any Victorian racecourse. "These restrictions were imposed immediately pending submissions being provided as to why these embargoes should not remain in place until the completion of a HRV investigation." Pitt is best known as the former driver and trainer of champion filly Shez All Rock, with whom he won this year's New South Wales Oaks and Victorian Oaks. She was subsequently sold to US-based Kiwi Chris Ryder and joined Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen's Christchurch stable, going on to win her two New Zealand starts in the New Zealand Oaks and Harness Jewels three-year-old Diamond. - NZ Harness News Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangatira Posted September 9, 2018 Share Posted September 9, 2018 11 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said: Don't seem too bad. Hardly life bans at this stage - I doubt 'industry sanctions' will be harsh. Pretty light really in comparison to what some get fined for non-descript drug charges here. Maybe there is hope for those in the dock next week. plenty of hope and surely they will get course access back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the galah Posted September 9, 2018 Share Posted September 9, 2018 Cockburn in queensland only got fined $5000 but had all his licenses cancelled and media reported it as a life ban. I would not hold out too much hope of much different in Victoria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turny Posted September 9, 2018 Share Posted September 9, 2018 (edited) Agree Galah - Victoria Harness has imposed life bans for "one proven" race The talk is we are way beyond that, tho Innocent until proven guilty of course Sad times, Edited September 9, 2018 by Turny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangatira Posted September 9, 2018 Share Posted September 9, 2018 4 minutes ago, Turny said: The talk is we are way beyond that, tho talk well wide of the mark in that case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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