Roy Spencer guilty to a charge of misconduct

On 13 June 2017, Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards conducted an inquiry in relation to an incident at the Australasian Premier Trotting Sales held at the Inglis Complex in Oaklands Junction on 2 April 2017.

As a part of this investigation, HRV Stewards had obtained evidence from industry participants Roy Spencer, Jamie Quinlan, Michael Taylor and Duncan McPherson. 

Upon consideration of all the evidence, Mr Spencer pleaded guilty to a charge of misconduct under Australian Harness Racing Rule 231(2). The particulars of the charge being that at the Australasian Premier Trotting Sales at the Inglis Complex in Oaklands Junction on 2 April 2017, Mr Spencer made inappropriate comments towards Mr Taylor whilst in the presence of the other two aforementioned industry participants.

Mr Spencer was fined $500 with a portion of $250 suspended for a period of two years provided Mr Spencer does not reoffend under the same rule within that period. In assessing penalty Stewards took into account the following factors:

• Mr Spencer’s guilty plea and previously unblemished record in the industry over approximately 45 years;

• Mr Spencer’s forthright evidence and obvious remorse shown for this occurrence;

• The need for consistency of penalty in relation to such matters of misconduct.

VIC – HRV Stewards Inquiry – Mr Roy Spencer

Harness Racing Victoria