I attended the resumption of pacing at Marburg - after an absence of some months whilst on course stabling was constructed - on 3 July 2010 and spoke to both registered driver Gary Litzow and Rosewood produce merchant Allan Price during the course of the afternoon, leaving at some time around 2.30pm. Photos of the day went up on this website subsequently and I also conducted an exclusive interview with Damian Raedler on the day and penned a story entitled “Where is the Queensland harness racing industry at” which appeared on Justracing on 7/7/10. It appears from the subsequent Racing Queensland enquiry that an altercation took place later in the day at Marburg between the aforementioned two men. Justracing believes the altercation took place after Allan Price - a committeeman at the club - had asked a person other than Gary Litzow, to consume an alcoholic drink within the designated area for same.
This Marburg case, which has had national media coverage, raises the question should all race meetings - or indeed sporting venues where alcohol is sold - be forced to have security staff as a pre-requisite to the race meeting, or sporting event, going ahead, as without taking sides in the debate, my question is “should it be the responsibility of an office bearer at a race club, or a football club, or whatever, to take matters into there own hands particularly where the consumption of alcohol is involved?”
The following transcript is the official version of events that was put out in a Media Release from Racing Queensland:
Racing Queensland Stewards today opened an inquiry following a report of an incident that occurred after the race meeting conducted by the Marburg Pacing Association (MPA), at the Marburg Showground on Saturday, July 3, 2010.
Evidence was today taken from Mr Gary Litzow (licensed driver), and MPA Committeemen, Mr Allan Price, Mr Cliff King, Mr Andrew Schultz and Mr Russell Lehmann (president).
On the evidence presented it was established that during the afternoon, shortly before 4.30pm, correspondence, which had been handed to Mr Price, was presented by him to the MPA Committee. This letter became the subject of discussions amongst some of the committee members. Shortly after this, Mr Litzow approached the group, which led to an exchange between Mr Price and Mr Litzow and an altercation then took place.
It was established that during the altercation, Mr Litzow was thrown to the ground by Mr Price, and then shortly after, Mr Price had a portion of his right ear bitten off by Mr Litzow.
Mr Allan Price, a member of the MPA Committee, pleaded guilty to a charge under AHR Rule 243 for behaving in a way which was detrimental to the industry in that he engaged in a physical altercation with Mr G Litzow, at the Marburg race meeting held July 3, 2010.
Mr Price was disqualified for a period of six months.
Mr Gary Litzow pleaded guilty to a charge under AHR Rule 243 for behaving in a way which was detrimental to the industry in that he engaged in a physical altercation with Mr A Price, a member of the MPA Committee, at the Marburg race meeting held July 3, 2010.
Mr Litzow was disqualified for a period of six months.
Mr Gary Litzow was also found guilty of a charge under Rule 231(1) for assaulting a person engaged in the harness racing industry, that person being, Mr Allan Price, by biting his right ear during an altercation, at the Marburg race meeting held July 3, 2010, resulting in a portion of that ear becoming detached.
Taking into account the serious nature of the offence and the gravity of his actions, Mr Litzow was disqualified for a period of 2 years.
The Stewards ordered that the two disqualifications imposed on Mr Litzow be served concurrently.
At the conclusion of the proceedings, MPA president Mr Russell Lehmann, was advised that his failure to report this incident to the Controlling Body was of concern and he was reminded of his obligation to report such matters under AHR Rule 246. He was further advised that the actions of certain members of his Club’s Committee leading up to the incident, and subsequent failure to act to prevent or attempt to prevent the altercation that took place, were disappointing. He was reminded of his obligation that he should at all times wherever possible ensure that the conduct of his committee at MPA race meetings is such, that it does not bring about the potential for complaints, or incidents, such as that which did occur on July 3, 2010.
Martin Knibbs
Chief Stipendiary Steward (Harness)
