Auckland RC 3 March 2018 – R 10 (heard 7 March 2018 at Avondale) – Chair, Mr A Dooley

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startdate: 03/03/2018

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hearing_title: Auckland RC 3 March 2018 - R 10 (heard 7 March 2018 at Avondale) - Chair, Mr A Dooley

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Decision:

JUDICIAL COMMITTEE RACEDAY DECISION

Informant: Mr J Oatham – Chief Stipendiary Steward

Respondent: Mr J Riddell – Rider of NARVICK

Meeting: Auckland Racing Club

Date: 3 March 2018 (heard 7 March 2018 at Avondale)

Race No: 10

Rule: 638(1)(d)

Judicial Committee: Mr A Dooley, Chair – Mr G Jones, Committee Member

Also Present: Mr M Williamson – Senior Stipendiary Steward

Charge: Careless Driving

Plea: Admitted

Decision Date: 7 March 2018

Evidence

Following the running of race 10, Headquarters Viaduct 2100, an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d). The Informant, Mr Oatham, alleged that Mr Riddell allowed NARVICK to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of FELAAR which was checked near the 1800 metres.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Judicial Committee considers to be careless.

Mr Riddell originally denied the breach but prior to the commencement of the hearing he endorsed the Information “I do admit the breach” and the hearing proceeded on that basis.

Mr Riddell acknowledged that he understood the Rule and the nature of the charge.

Submissions for Decision

Mr Williamson demonstrated the incident using the available video footage. He identified that Mr Riddell was racing in a 3 wide position with FELAAR racing behind him in a 2 wide position. He said approaching the 1800 metres Mr Riddell allowed his mount to shift inwards into the running line of FELAAR. He identified on the video that Mr Riddell was a bare length in front of FELAAR when the check occurred. He said that FELAAR reacted poorly when checked by getting its head up in an exaggerated manner.

Mr Riddell advised the Committee that as he approached the first corner leaving the home straight he focused on clearing Mr T Allen’s mount. Although he was aware that FELAAR was racing behind him he did not anticipate that runner was going to remain one off the fence. He said as he crossed over FELAAR was being ridden up to hold its position when the check occurred. He added that FELAAR’S head came up for 3 strides which didn’t help the situation. He freely accepted that he misjudged the shift inwards.

Decision

As Mr Riddell admitted the breach the Committee found the charge proved.

Submissions for Penalty

Mr Oatham produced Mr Riddell’s record which showed 2 previous breaches under this Rule in the last 12 months, the most recent being 24 February 2018 which incurred a 7 day suspension for mid-range carelessness. He said it was misjudgement on Mr Riddell’s part in that he assumed that Ms Johnson, the rider of FELAAR, was going to shift in towards the fence. He added that although Mr Riddell was never the required distance clear the carelessness was towards the low end. He said that Mr Riddell had a relatively good record although blemished by having 3 charges this year. Notwithstanding the fact that his previous 9 months were without having breached this Rule.

Mr Riddell said that the carelessness was low range and a minor lack of judgement on his part.

Reasons for Penalty

The Committee carefully considered all the evidence and submissions presented.

It was evident to the Committee that Mr Riddell looked to his inside several times prior to shifting inwards near the 1800 metres. We believe that Mr Riddell misjudged the distance between his mount and FELAAR which resulted in that runner being checked. The incident was exacerbated by FELAAR over reacting and throwing its head in the air.

The Committee deemed the level of carelessness was low range.

The JCA Penalty Guide starting point for low range carelessness is 6 days.

There were no aggravating factors that warranted an uplift in penalty.

The mitigating factor was Mr Riddell’s admission of the breach for which we afforded him a 1 day reduction in penalty.

Mr Riddell’s record in the last 12 months was assessed as a neutral factor.

After taking into account all the above factors the Committee considered that an appropriate suspension was 5 national riding days.

Penalty

Mr Riddell is currently suspended from the close of racing on 3 March up to and including racing on 15 March 2018 as a result of a careless riding breach on 24 February 2018.

Accordingly, the Committee suspended Mr Riddell’s license to ride in races for the period to commence after racing on the 15 March 2018 and conclude after racing on 23 March 2018.

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hearing_type: Old Hearing

Rules: 638(1)(d)

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