Harness Racing SA bans Lisa Lemon from tracks, facilities for snubbing stewards over Twitter row
Social media posts criticising harness racing management in SA have led to sweeping sanctions on a trotting fan that even bar her from visiting her trainer father’s Two Wells property.
SA News
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A harness racing enthusiast has been banned from any involvement with the ailing sport for using social media to question its management.
Lisa Lemon, 42, has been served with a “warned off” notice by controlling body Harness Racing SA for refusing to attend a stewards’ inquiry into frequent posts about the industry on Twitter.
Ms Lemon repeatedly has raised questions about HRSA’s ability to administer the sport and highlighted numerous problems besetting the SA Harness Racing Club, which runs the peak trotting venue, Globe Derby Park.
The notice issued on Ms Lemon prohibits her from entering race tracks, training facilities and breeding stables.
She also cannot visit her parents’ property at Two Wells, where a horse she part owns is stabled, because her father is a licensed trainer.
“All I have been trying to do is voice an opinion on how the industry is being managed or mismanaged, depending on your interpretation,” she said.
“I’m very disappointed with what they have done. I feel I’ve been targeted for being willing to tell the truths that need to be told.
“I now can’t go and see my horse race, I can’t socialise with my friends who are involved with harness racing, I can’t go to Globe Derby Park where I spend a lot of time, I can’t breed and I can’t bet.”
Ms Lemon said she could not understand how the “archaic rules” of harness racing — which prohibit public criticism by participants of the industry or individuals who are involved — applied to her.
“I own half of a horse, I am not a licensed participant,” she said. “I refused to attend the stewards’ inquiry because they would not first provide details about which tweets had caused problems. This was a denial of natural justice and not due process. They have since provided details. I will now work out what my next steps are.”
HRSA warned two months ago it would take disciplinary action against participants if they criticised the industry on social media. The threat came after a debate over drug testing by HRSA and whether swabs were being sent to an interstate laboratory.
Chief executive Ross Neal said Ms Lemon had been banned for failing to co-operate with the stewards’ inquiry, which was seeking an explanation “into a number of comments” on social media.
“Ms Lemon has been requested to attend a hearing into some of the comments she has made and she has refused to attend,” he said.
“Stewards want to ask some questions and make a determination. You don’t get anywhere by refusing to comply with a reasonable request.”
Mr Neal said stewards had the authority to question anyone involved in harness racing. even part owners.
The dispute comes as HRSA prepares to vacate its longstanding headquarters at Globe Derby Park, which it rents off the cash-strapped SAHRC, to new rented premises at Port Adelaide.