Manawatu RC – 26 December 2005 – Race 4

hearingid: 46ba0bbcd4e56704c264b2ae67dcd499

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hearing_racingtype: thoroughbred-racing

startdate: 26/12/2005

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decisiondate: no date provided

hearing_title: Manawatu RC - 26 December 2005 - Race 4

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Decision:

Mr R.Stam was charged with improper riding under Rule 871 (1) (c) following his ride in Race 4.

Mr R.Stam was charged with improper riding under Rule 871 (1) (c) following his ride in Race 4. The information alleged that R.Stam the rider of Bahhzaar continued to strike Footy Star on the head with his whip when racing in close quarters in the home straight.

Mr Stam admitted the breach.

This charge follows a protest held after Race 4, which resulted in Mr Stam's mount, Bahhzaar, being relegated from first place to second place behind Footy Star. At the beginning of the protest hearing Mr McCutcheon reserved the right to charge Mr Stam with foul riding, however, he decided to give him the benefit of the doubt in that Mr Stam and Ms Myers were racing in such close proximity. Mr Stam has instead been charged with riding that was improper.

Mr McCutcheon told the committee that despite reducing the charge it remained a serious offence. Mr Stam had continued to hit Footy Star across the head with the drawn whip on a number of occasions and he believed that it warranted a significant suspension, in the vicinity of one month.

Mr Stam said that he had never done anything like this before. He arrived at the races this morning and incurred a three-day suspension for careless riding at Otaki on Thursday. He could only explain his actions by saying that perhaps he had acted out of desperation. Mr Stam was extremely sorry and assured the committee that it would never happen again.

In reaching a decision on penalty the committee has taken into account Mr Stam's frank admission of the breach and his genuinely contrite manner. He is obviously well aware of the gravity of this offence. We have also taken into account the fact that he has not been charged with improper riding before.

There is no doubt that the penalty for improper riding must be by way of suspension. In determining the length of suspension the committee has taken into account the fact that Bahhzaar lost the race on protest as a direct result of Mr Stam's actions. There were no contributing actions from any other horse or rider. The trainer and owner of Bahhzaar have both been penalized through no fault of their own.

There is also the disturbing sight of a horse being struck about the head with the whip which portrays horse racing in a very bad light. We agree that the suspension has to be lengthy.

Mr Stam is suspended from riding from the close of racing on January 2^nd 2006 until the close of racing on Thursday February 2^nd 2006.

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hearing_type: Old Hearing

Rules: 871.1.c

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raceid: 10251f71574c3c0ab74fefaef72fcdc4

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racecancelled: 0

race_noreport: 0

race_emailed1: 0

race_emailed2: 0

race_title: Race 4

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meetid: bdbfc97c9fb630916c4fdce2f1ab0dba

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meetdate: 26/12/2005

meet_title: Manawatu RC - 26 December 2005

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name: Manawatu RC