Mr Pakula has asked Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna to look into the events leading up to six of the 10 acceptors in Saturday night’s group 1 race being scratched because of a crackdown by stewards on oversized sulkies.

The request comes at the recommendation of the Office of Gaming and Racing.

“All parties involved have accepted that the situation at the Ballarat Pacing Cup was handled poorly,” Mr Pakula said.

“This investigation will ensure that the issues are addressed immediately for the benefit of the harness racing industry and all involved.”

Mr Pakula has said he has concerns with the direction of harness racing as a whole and told The Courier that this review could be part of the planned wider look into the sport.

“We have already indicated we are going to have a broader review into harness racing and the outcomes of the Racing Integrity Commissioner’s review will potentially feed into that broader review,” he said.

Mr Perna will inquire into specific areas of the Ballarat Pacing Cup saga, including:

• How and when the non-compliant sulkies arrived in Victoria

• When did HRV become aware of the issue? 

• What actions were taken by HRV and were they reasonable? 

• Why were participants not advised until so close to race starting time? 

• Were the powers of HRV stewards adequate? 

• Could the horses have been permitted to race under warning that non-compliant sulkies would not be tolerated in the future? 

• Could HRV stewards have insisted that final acceptors to the Cup start in the race, utilising alternate sulkies?

• Any other related matters he sees fit

Mr Pakula has sought a report by the end of February next year.

Ballarat and District Trotting Club chief executive Paul Rowse said the club welcomed the inquiry. 

tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au