Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have issued four charges against licensed jumps jockey Martin Kelly following an investigation into a number of bets allegedly placed by Mr Kelly on thoroughbred horse races from January 2016.
Mr Kelly has been charged with breaching Australian Rules of Racing 115(1)(c), 115(1)(e) and 232(i) which state:
CHARGE ONE: AR 115(1)(c)
AR 115 (1) A jockey or apprentice jockey must not:
(c) bet, or have any interest in a bet, or facilitate a bet, on any race;
Particulars of charge:
1. In contravention of AR 115 (1)(c), between 1 January 2016 and 21 June 2016, Mr Kelly made and/or facilitated and/or had an interest in the making of, 47 bets on thoroughbred horse racing, utilising his betting account with a total outlay of $869.03.
2. These bets related to races in which Mr Kelly was not riding.
CHARGE TWO: AR 115(1)(e)
AR 115 (1) A jockey or apprentice jockey must not:
(e) bet, or have any interest in a bet, on any race or contingency relating to thoroughbred racing involving a race in which he or she is riding.
Particulars of charge:
1. In contravention of AR 115(1)(e) on 30 May 2016, Mr Kelly made and/or had an interest in a bet of $25.00 on Shearer which he rode in Race 2 at Hamilton on 30 May 2016.
2. In contravention of AR 115(1)(e) on 30 May 2016, Mr Kelly made and/or had an interest in a bet of $25.00 on Gold Spur in Race 2 at Hamilton on 30 May 2016 when he rode Shearer in the same race.
3. In contravention of AR 115(1)(e) on 5 June 2016, Mr Kelly made and/or had an interest in a bet of $21.01 on Arribos which he rode in Race 3 at Warrnambool on 5 June 2016.
4. In contravention of AR 115(1)(e) on 19 June 2016, Mr Kelly made and/or had an interest in a bet on Shearer of $20.00 which he rode in Race 3 at Hamilton on 19 June 2016.
CHARGE THREE: AR 115(1)(c)
AR 115 (1) A jockey or apprentice jockey must not:
(c) bet, or have any interest in a bet, or facilitate a bet, on any race;
Particulars of charge:
1. In contravention of AR 115 (1)(c), between 25 May 2017 and 9 November 2018, Mr Kelly made and/or facilitated a number of bets on thoroughbred horse races, by authorising 59 deposits totalling $2,405 into an account held under the name of Wayne Cuddihy, through a Paypal account linked to his credit card.
CHARGE FOUR: AR 232(i)
AR 232 A person must not:
(i) give any evidence at an interview, investigation, inquiry, hearing and/or appeal which is false or misleading.
Particulars of charge:
1. On 16 January 2019, 15 February 2019 and 26 March 2019 (the Interviews) Mr Kelly was interviewed by Racing Victoria Stewards in relation to thoroughbred bets placed on his betting account. Throughout the course of the Interviews, Mr Kelly gave evidence that the bets placed on thoroughbred horses were not placed by him but placed by registered Stable Employee, Wayne Cuddihy.
2. Contrary to AR 232(i), the evidence given by Mr Kelly during the Interviews was false and/or misleading.
The charges issued against Mr Kelly will be heard by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board on a date to be fixed.