Mathew Neilson: Harness racing driver faces new perjury charge

ONE of Queensland’s most sought after harness racing drivers has been slapped with a fresh charge of perjury, accused of lying in a Queensland Racing Integrity Commission coercive hearing.

ONE of Queensland’s most sought after harness racing drivers has been slapped with a fresh charge of perjury, accused of lying in a Queensland Racing Integrity Commission coercive hearing.

Mathew Neilson will face court on September 26 on the new charge after earlier being charged with match fixing.

QRIC Commissioner Ross Barnett said it was the first time someone had been charged with perjury in relation to the Commission’s coercive hearing powers.

“The Commission has powers under the Racing Integrity Act to hold coercive hearings which compel racing participants to appear and give evidence under oath,” he said.

Mathew Neilson in action Photographer: Liam Kidston.

“When racing participants are called to these investigative hearings they must provide truthful evidence and on this occasion it will be alleged that was not the case.”

It is alleged Neilson, 36, of Hatton Vale, lied about his involvement in match fixing during the hearing. He was also questioned in the Crime and Corruption Commission.

Neilson is known as one of the state’s most sought after freelance drivers, finishing third in the 2016/17 premiership.

During that year, he drove horses that brought in more than $800,000 in prize money.

The previous year he brought in more than $1 million.