Media release – Office of Racing Integrity, 16 May 2024

Independent stewards interim report

The independent stewards panel responsible for investigating and determining if charges should be laid in relation to racing and animal welfare issues identified in the Murrihy Report has provided an interim report to the Director of Racing.

The interim report focuses on the 15 races identified by independent investigator Ray Murrihy for further scrutiny under the Australian Harness Racing Rules.

The report concludes that there is insufficient evidence to take any further action on 14 of the 15 races under the Rules of Racing.

Further inquiries are being conducted in regard to one race and the other matters identified by Mr Murrihy.

The panel has not discovered any evidence that warrants suspending any licenced racing industry participant or evidence of corruption or inappropriate actions of stewards associated with the races scrutinised to date.

The panel has however made recommendations on the processes and procedures undertaken by Tasmanian stewards. These highlight the benefits of ongoing professional development and mentoring.

Last week, highly experienced national and international harness racing steward, Zane Turner started a short-term appointment with the Office of Racing integrity to work with Tasmanian stewards.

Over the coming months Tasmanian stewards will have an opportunity to work with interstate racing regulators to share skills and experiences.

The final report of the independent stewards panel is expected by the end of June 2024.

The interim report is available on the NRE Tas website: nre.tas.gov.au/racing-investigation.

Executive Summary

• In accordance with the Part A (Highest Priority) Direction, the Panel has examined and scrutinised the 15 races identified by Mr Murrihy in the letter to Premier Rockliff dated 28 November 2023.

• Having examined and scrutinised those races and all related evidence and information, the Panel formed the view that no further investigation was warranted with respect to eight of the 15 races.

• For those eight races, there was insufficient evidence or information that any of those races involved questionable race tactics.

• The remaining seven races were subjected to a comprehensive review with further investigations, including interviewing the drivers and trainers in those races among other inquiries. Following those further investigations, the Panel formed the view that there was insufficient evidence or information to take any further action to questionable race tactics under the Rules of Racing with respect to six of the seven races.

• For the remaining race, further inquiries are being conducted and the Panel expects to form a view about whether any further action is warranted with respect to that race in the next week.

• Once the Part A direction is completed, the Panel will investigate the Part B Direction. The work of this panel is expected to be completed by 30 June 2024.

• During the Review, the Panel has identified opportunities to refine and improve steward processes and procedures and has provided appropriate recommendations.

• Investigations to date have not discovered any evidence of corruption or inappropriate actions of Stewards associated with the races examined as at the date of this interim report.

• Investigations to date have not discovered any evidence that warrants the panel suspending any licenced racing industry participant.