It has been announced that Harness Racing Victoria has suspended Down Under racing participants Shayne Cramp and Greg Cramp for 12 years due to race fixing.

The contents of the media release by HRV on the matter appears below.

Shayne and Greg Cramp – Media Release

After initiating and conducting an investigation into the conduct of races and associated betting in the Mildura region relevant to the operation of the Mildura based Shayne Cramp stable, HRV Stewards provided information to Victoria Police who commenced an investigation into the relevant matters. The investigation was conducted by the Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit.

The complex investigation culminated in licensed participants Shayne and Greg Cramp being arrested on 2 February 2015 and questioned with respect to race-fixing allegations. On this date, HRV Stewards immediately suspended the training and driving licences of Shayne and Greg Cramp and excluded both parties from attending any harness racing tracks.

At the Melbourne Magistrates Court on 3 September 2015, Mr Shayne and Greg Cramp pleaded guilty to a charge issued by Victoria Police under Section 195C of the Crimes Act 1958 which provides:

A person must not engage in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome of an event or event contingency —

1. knowing that, or being reckless as to whether, the conduct corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome of the event or the event contingency; and

2. intending to obtain a financial advantage, or to cause a financial disadvantage, in connection with any betting on the event or the event contingency.

Both Shayne and Greg Cramp were convicted and sentenced to a Community Corrections Order (CCO) for a period of 12 months, with Shayne Cramp required to perform 300 hours of community work and Greg Cramp required to perform 200 hours of community work.

The sentence imposed for both parties related to their conduct with respect to the lead up to and running of Race 5 at Mildura on 12 November 2014. The sentence for Shayne Cramp also related to his conduct with respect to the lead up to and running of Race 6 at Mildura on 29 November 2014.

On 23 October 2015, Shayne and Greg Cramp attended before a sub-committee formed by the HRV Board whose role it was to consider the application or otherwise of Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 267(1) which provides:

267. (1) Subject to sub-rule (2) the Controlling Body may for such period and on such conditions as it thinks fit, disqualify a person who is found guilty of or convicted of a crime or an offence in any State or Territory of Australia or in any country.

On 30 October 2015, the HRV Board considered the above provisions and the recommendations of the sub-committee. The HRV Board endorsed the sub-committee’s recommendation that the provisions of AHRR267(1) be invoked and that Shayne and Greg Cramp be disqualified for a period of 12 years. The HRV Board subsequently ordered that Shayne and Greg Cramp be disqualified for a period of 12 years and that such penalty be backdated to commence 2 February 2015 when their licences were originally suspended by HRV Stewards. Shayne and Greg Cramp are therefore disqualified from having any involvement in the harness racing industry and this disqualification will remain in place until 2 February 2027.

The HRV Board also noted and endorsed the sub-committee’s indication that but for the co-operation and admissions to the offending by Shayne and Greg Cramp, the sub-committee would have recommended a disqualification period of 16 years be imposed. Throughout the criminal and harness racing proceedings, both parties expressed remorse for their conduct with Shayne Cramp describing his actions as unforgiveable and a “brain fade” and Greg Cramp describing an “on the spot” decision which turned out to be diabolical.

The board also endorsed the sub-committee’s belief that the corrupt act of race fixing is one of the most serious offences that can be committed by participants involved in the harness racing industry and that any person found guilty of committing such offences should be disqualified for an extended period.

HRV would like to acknowledge the co-operation between Victoria Police’s Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit, the Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner and Harness Racing Victoria in bringing these serious matters before a criminal Court proceeding. HRV particularly wish to acknowledge the significant efforts and dedication of the Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit in investigating this complex matter. HRV also wish to thank Mildura police for their extensive assistance and the Victoria Police Prosecutions Division, noting it to be the first successful prosecution in any form of racing under such legislation.

If anyone has any information relating to race-fixing allegations they can contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au or the information can be reported to HRV Stewards on 03 8378 0222 or the Racing Integrity Hotline on 1300 227 225.

Whilst the damage to the sport of harness racing for conduct such as that engaged in by Shayne and Greg Cramp is immeasurable, it is important to reflect upon the fact that such conduct has been detected and also that the conduct has been detected by the sport itself and that the parties involved have appeared before both criminal and harness racing proceedings. The harness racing industry is united in condemning such behaviour and will continue to support HRV Stewards in their endeavours to actively hunt any such wrongdoing and prosecute accordingly. HRV Stewards look forward to continuing their strong working relationship with the Victorian Police Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit who lead the law enforcement response to matters of race fixing in sport.