07 December 2009
Stewards hand down penalties in the Harkham Inquiry
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The inquiry into the race won by Harkham at the Gold Coast on September 10 has concluded with charges laid against four licencees.
The inquiry centred on the running of the race and associated betting on the event. Harkham led all the way to win in a slow 2:04 mile for the 1609m distance.
The inquiry was adjourned several times due to the unavailability of key witnesses before today’s final sitting.
Harness Racing Queensland stewards charged Harkham’s owner Lucas Sullivan on a raft of offences including manipulating the course of the race and betting on the winner Harkham with prior knowledge of the driving tactics of David Turner (Makalong Shadow) and Jay Bellamy (Perfect Liner).
He was also charged with providing false or misleading evidence on three separate occasions and refusing to answer questions on two separate occasions during the course of the inquiry.
The charges totalled to a 13 year disqualification period.
David Turner and Jay Bellamy were found guilty on identical charges of failing to drive their horses on their merits, driving in an unacceptable manner and behaving in a manner detrimental to the industry.
The “detrimental to the industry” charge related to communicating with Sullivan with their respective drives advantaging Harkham and disadvantaging Lamborgindi and other runners in the race.
Their charges each totalled to a four year disqualification period.
Stablehand Lisa Hodge was also found guilty of providing false or misleading evidence on three separate occasions and disqualified for six months.
Stewards also advised that this inquiry could be reopened at any time if any matter shed further light on their investigations.
For full details of the inquiry and associated charges, refer to STEWARDS WRAP.
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