Stewards Notice Inquiry HRSA Stewards v Mr D Girardi AHRR 168(1)(f)

Stewards’ Inquiry Decision
HRSA Stewards v Mr D Girardi
AHRR 168(1)(f)
Harness Racing SA Stewards conducted an Inquiry at Globe Derby Park on 7 September 2026 into the driving conduct of licensed driver Mr D Girardi following Race 7 at Globe Derby Park on 1 September 2026.
The Inquiry concerned Mr Girardi’s conduct after the race, during the post-race warm-down, while driving OAKLANDER in the vicinity of NEED ME SOME SUGAR, driven by Mr K Weidenbach.
After considering the evidence, including the available race footage and Mr Girardi’s evidence, Stewards found Mr Girardi in breach of Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 168(1)(f), which provides that a person shall not, before, during or after a race, drive in a manner which in the opinion of the Stewards is foul.
For the purposes of the Inquiry, Stewards considered foul driving to involve conduct which goes beyond careless, reckless or merely improper driving and which, having regard to its deliberate or highly culpable nature, purpose, surrounding circumstances and the safety risk created, is properly characterised as foul.
Stewards were satisfied that, after the race, Mr Girardi made significant ground in the warm down lap, particularly from the 400m mark, whereupon he deliberately drove OAKLANDER in close proximity to NEED ME SOME SUGAR and Mr Weidenbach, and made contact, in circumstances which Stewards did not accept arose from an ordinary race-related mishap.
In determining penalty, Stewards had regard to the seriousness of the conduct, the circumstances in which it occurred, the degree of contact and risk created, the absence of injury, Mr Girardi’s guilty plea, his disciplinary record, the submissions made on his behalf, and relevant comparative penalties concerning serious driving offences under AHRR 168(1).
Mr Girardi’s HRSA driver licence was suspended for a period of four months, commencing 16 September 2026.
Mr Girardi has a right of appeal to the Racing Appeals Tribunal, subject to the applicable procedural requirements. Information concerning the Racing Appeals Tribunal and the appeal process is available at: https://www.racingsa.com.au/industry/racing-appeals-tribunal.
The Stewards Panel comprised Messers S Williams, S Ewen and D Kordick.
Harness Racing SA Stewards 9 September 2026