Thames HRC – 21 January 2007 –

hearingid: 7e72133a7515c08ca17dba2d0e516082

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hearing_racingtype: harness-racing

startdate: 21/01/2007

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decisiondate: no date provided

hearing_title: Thames HRC - 21 January 2007 -

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An information was filed alleging a breach of the rules, the informant was Mr. J. M. Muirhead and the Defendant Mr. D Cameron. The information alleged that Horseman D Cameron failed to drive "Landoras Special" out to the end of the race when he had a reasonable chance of finishing first.

An information was filed alleging a breach of the rules, the informant was Mr. J. M. Muirhead and the Defendant Mr. D Cameron. The information alleged that Horseman D Cameron failed to drive "Landoras Special" out to the end of the race when he had a reasonable chance of finishing first.

Rule 868 (3) states

" Every horseman shall drive his horse out to the end of the race if he has any reasonable chance of running first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth."

Mr. Cameron was present at this hearing and did not admit the breach of this rule.

Mr. Muirhead opened his case stating that in the opinion of the stewards Mr. Cameron drove Landoras Special at the Morrinsville Meeting in the Brian Coppins & Blueys Glass & Glazing Trot, with a distinct lack of vigor over the concluding stages of the race

Mr. Muirhead gave evidence that Landoras Special led for the entire journey of the 2200 meters of this race finishing second beaten a ? head by Mister Maharg. Mr. Muirhead alleged that Mr. Cameron had not urged his horse, had maybe tapped his horse with the whip twice in the run home and Mr. Cameron had shown a distinct lack of vigor in the run to the finishing post to finish second a ? head from the winner Mister Maharg.

The margin to the 3^rd horse was 3 ? lengths.

Mr. Muirhead called Mr. Taumanu to give evidence and Mr. Taumanu stated that he did not notice the whip being used on Landoras Special in the run to the judge, Mr. Taumanu said the winner of this race was Mr. Maharg which was trotting rough and running in behind this runner was under a drive from Miss Donnelly in the run to the finishing line. Mr Taumanu stated that Mr. Camerons drive Landoras Special was in his opinion trotting very well as it had for the whole race. Mr. Taumanu stated that Mr. Cameron had just sat there and did not move on his horse all the way up the straight. Mr. Cameron questioned Mr. Taumanu regarding the track and Mr Taumanu replied that the Stewards had inspected the track prior to the meeting in conjunction with the track manager and found it to be in very good shape. Mr. Taumanu stated that the track had been inspected following race one after a runner had almost fallen however this incident was in the stewards opinion nothing to do with track conditions. Mr. Taumanu stated that the runner in race one had jumped something and this had nothing to do with track conditions.

Mr Muirhead showed the video of the race both side on and head on, and this showed Landoras Special in the lead for the entire race and trotting very well Landoras Special trotted over both crossings with out putting a foot wrong. In the run home the video showed Mr. Cameron flicking Landoras Special with the whip on the tail on two occasions with about 150 meters to run, the video showed Mr. Cameron looking over at Miss Donnelly " Mister Maharg", over the concluding stages of this race Mr. Cameron had his whip up and his horse was trotting very well.

Mr. Muirhead showed a video of Landoras Special in her start at the Cambridge Meeting on the 23 11 06 when this mare ran 3^rd and this showed Mr. Cameron her driver on the night using his whip on this mare.

Mr. Cameron gave evidence and stated that the track was not in good order at this stage of the day he stated that the crossings were like glass and said he had to hold his horse together all the way as she had a tendency to go off stride and he could feel it through the reins when this was about to happen. Mr Cameron stated that Landoras Special was under a warning form the Taranaki Meeting and he was mindful of this warning. Mr. Cameron stated in his evidence that Landoras Special had ran inwards from Mister Maharg over the concluding stages of this race when his horse had heard the whip of Miss Donnelly being used.

Mr. Cameron said he had, had 10 starts with this horse for 6 cheques Mr. Cameron stated to the committee he had struck his horse three times in the run home.

Mr. Muirhead asked Mr. Cameron one final question did he think he had won the race and Mr. Cameron replied "Yes I Thought I Had Won the Race".

This Judicial committee finds the charge under Rule 868 (3) proven for the following reasons.

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1. We acknowledge that Mr. Cameron did flick Landoras Special on the tail twice in the run home; however over the last 150 meters of this race Mr. Cameron did nothing to urge his horse on at any stage over the concluding 150 meters of this race.
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2. Mr. Cameron stated in his evidence that Landoras Special had ran inwards to the rail when his horse had heard the whip being used by Miss Donnelly on Mister Maherg this we find not so as the head on video shows Landoras Special to run out at least a cart width over the concluding stages of this race when Mister Maharg was under a drive on the outside of Landoras Special.
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3. By Mr. Cameron's own admission he thought he had won the race.
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4. This committee accepts the evidence of both Mr. Muirhead and Mr. Taumanu that Landoras Special was trotting well for the whole race and that the track was in good condition.
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5. Having carefully considered all of the evidence as presented both verbal and by way of the video's this Judicial Committee finds that Mr. Cameron's lack of vigor over the concluding stages of this race falls well short of the required standard. Mr. Cameron had an obligation under the rules to drive his horse out to the end of the race and we find Mr. Cameron failed to carry out his obligation under rule 868 (3) as this Judicial Committee finds he had a reasonable chance of winning this race with the margin being ? head at the finishing line..

Submissions were heard on penalty from both Mr. Muirhead and Mr. Cameron.

Mr. Muirhead sought a suspension of Mr. Cameron's horseman's licence for a period of 6 weeks to 3 months plus a fine of between $250 to $500. Mr. Muirhead advised the Committee that Mr. Cameron had an average of 24 drives per year for the last three seasons.

Mr. Muirhead also presented Mr. Cameron's driving record to the committee for perusal. Mr. Cameron stated he was not in a position to pay a fine as well as a suspension.

Mr. Muirhead also presented to the Judicial Committee a summary of penalties for breaches of rule 868(3) over a considerable period.

Having taken into consideration the submissions on penalty made by both Mr. Muirhead and Mr. Cameron also the serious nature of this breach of Rule 868(3) the Judicial Committee has in imposing penalty also taken into consideration the provisions of Rule 1114 (2) (d) which states " the need to maintain integrity and public confidence in Harness Racing".

This Judicial Committee orders a suspension of Mr. Cameron's horseman's licence for a period of 16 weeks from the close of racing today the 21 01 07 to the close of racing on the 13 05 07.

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hearing_type: Old Hearing

Rules: 868.3, 1114.2.d

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