Rotorua RC – 20 April 2005 – Race 4

Following race 4 an information was filed pursuant to Rule 871(1)(e) when it was alleged by the informant, Mr J Oatham, that Miss S Kelly, rider of SYD?S GEM, showed inadequate judgement on her mount for approximately the last 1200 metres of the race.

Miss Kelly pleaded guilty to the charge and was represented by Mr J Collett.

Mr W Robinson, Assistant Stipendiary Steward, demonstrated the video films and showed Miss Kelly restraining her mount early in the race when it was obviously full of running and there was ample room to improve along the rail. Mr Robinson stated that Miss Kelly did not put the horse in the race at any stage when there was opportunity to do so.

Mr J Collett said in his evidence that Miss Kelly may well have been under instructions to restrain the horse early, but conceded that from the 600 metre mark she could have exercised better judgement and put the horse into the race.

Miss Kelly stated she felt unsafe on a horse which was racing fiercely and she decided to ride him from the back.

Mr Collett believed it was a lack of judgement on a mount she was unsure of and considered it was a one-off offence.

Mr Oatham said it was a serious lack of judgement on Miss Kelly's part and she failed to give her horse every opportunity of winning.

The Committee considered all submissions, and took into account Miss Kelly's guilty plea and her record. We also accepted that Miss Kelly was somewhat apprehensive because of the manner in which the horse was over-racing. However, we did consider Miss Kelly showed a serious lack of judgement when restraining her mount causing it to lose several lengths at a stage when she should have been improving. She made no effort to allow her mount to improve when there was room to do so. Accordingly we suspend Miss Kelly from after the conclusion of racing on 23 April up to and including 14 May.