RACING Victoria’s (RV) desire to maintain its position as a national leader in sports integrity has been affirmed through further enhancements to its integrity program announced today.
The RV Board has approved the following initiatives which strengthen the policing of and compliance with the Rules of Racing and afford RV stewards with greater powers:
Jockey betting declarations – The annual licence renewal process will now be contingent on jockeys signing a declaration that they have not bet on thoroughbred racing anywhere in the world in the previous racing season. The declaration period will take effect from 1 May 2013 with strong minimum penalties to apply if a breach occurs.
Form analysis declaration – As part of the annual licence renewal process, jockeys will now also be required to identify persons that that they will call upon to provide professional advice on form analysis, including speed maps and pre-race tactics.
New stand down powers – A new Local Rule 72C which provides the stewards with an express power to stand down a person once they are charged with a serious offence if that person’s continued participation undermines the sport’s image or integrity.
Today’s announcement brings to nine the number of major integrity enhancements introduced to Victorian thoroughbred racing since the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival.
RV Chief Executive Officer, Bernard Saundry, who took office on 1 December 2012, said the enhancements ensured RV remained a national leader on integrity, whilst reminding the minority of participants that seek to cheat that they will be caught and penalized appropriately.
“Our commitment to integrity is unrivalled by any sporting organization in Australia and the suite of enhancements unveiled since the Spring Racing Carnival demonstrates our unwavering desire to build upon that commitment,” Saundry said.
“Racing Victoria spends $15 million annually on integrity and stewarding and the industry employs more than 80 staff across Racing Victoria and our drug laboratory, RASL, to manage the integrity of the sport and police the Rules of Racing.
“The introduction of ‘no betting’ and form analyst declarations for jockeys, together with new stand down powers brings to nine the number of major integrity enhancements made since the Spring Racing Carnival and are a clear reminder to all that cheating will not be tolerated in this sport.
“We are pleased to have the support of the Victorian Jockeys’ Association (VJA) in being the first organisation to introduce a ‘no betting’ declaration for jockeys which serves as a critical reminder for riders about their obligations under the rules and the new significant penalties that apply.”
“The VJA has worked closely with RV on developing this model and we are supportive of the recommendation,” Des O’Keeffe, Executive Officer of the VJA, said.
“The VJA and our members are as committed as RV to further strengthening the integrity of our sport and the public’s confidence in it.”
For 2013-14 license renewals taken in July, jockeys will need to sign a ‘no betting’ declaration for the period from 1 May 2013 to 30 June 2013. This will extend to a full year in subsequent renewals.
Under the new minimum penalty regime adopted by the RV Board from 1 March 2013, jockeys who bet on a race in which they’re competing face a minimum two-year disqualification.
The suite of nine major enhancements declared by RV since the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival is:
Stiffer minimum penalties for cheating: Significant penalties for serious offences, with minimum disqualifications ranging from six months to five years for offences including jockey betting, corruption and administration of drugs. Introduced 1 March 2013.
No race-day treatments and increased drug testing of horses: Prohibition on administration of treatments, including stomach tubing and alkalinising agents, extended to one clear day before race-day and increased race-day testing of racehorses by RV’s veterinary team and world class testing laboratory, RASL.
More racing investigators: Expanded Compliance Assurance Team (CAT) from six to eight members to increase oversight of investigations, stable inspections, bet monitoring and out-of-competition testing. Two ex-Victoria Police detectives commence in May 2013 and bring cutting edge and contemporary police investigative experience to CAT.
‘No Bet’ declarations for jockeys: Licence renewal for all jockeys from 1 May 2013 to be contingent on signing a declaration that they have not bet on any thoroughbred racing. The initial declarations will cover the period 1 May 2013 to 30 June 2013, and will extend to full years in subsequent renewals.
Declaration of form advisors for jockeys: Effective from the 2013-14 licence renewal, jockeys will be required to declare form analysts that they receive professional advice from.
Immediate stand down if charged: The ability, effective immediately, to stand down a licensed person once they are charged with a serious offence, if that person’s continued participation undermines the sport’s image or integrity.
Racetrack exclusion for undesirable people: The ability to warn off, disqualify or suspend any person once the Chief Commissioner of Police has issued a racetrack exclusion order against that person, effective December 2012.
Development of stewards race-day hub: The building of a new race-day control room at RV’s Flemington offices to allow an ‘off site’ stewards’ panel to analyse race footage and betting in real time to support stewards officiating ‘on the ground’ at race meetings.
Improved bet monitoring: A new requirement for all wagering operators from 30 June 2013 (the commencement of the new race fields approval period) to provide more detailed and frequent feeds of betting information to allow more detailed analysisof betting trends and irregularities.
In making today’s announcement, Saundry outlined that RV is continuing to work closely with the State Government, Harness Racing Victoria and Greyhound Racing Victoria as a part of a review of integrity management structures across the three codes to ensure they represent best practice.
RACING VICTORIA MEDIA RELEASE
