Egmont RC – 11 October 2008 –

Jockey S Spratt was charged under rule 871(1) (D) in that she angled her mount out near the 200 metre mark when not clear of EYE ME UP which was checked.

Jockey S Spratt was charged under rule 871(1) (D) in that she angled her mount out near the 200 metre mark when not clear of EYE ME UP which was checked.

The rule was read and Miss Spratt confirmed she did not admit the charge.

Stipendiary steward Goodwin told the committee he did not wish to call jockey J McDonald rider of EYE ME UP to give evidence as he believed the enquiry into the incident had established his facts. This was agreed to.

Stipendiary Steward Mr N Goodwin, using the available films, informed the committee that Mr McDonald was entitled to be where he was on rounding the bend. Jockey S Spratt angled her mount out and onto EYE ME UP causing a severe bump which he believed unbalanced jockey Mc Donald’s mount. The line to which Mr McDonald was entitled was dictated by the outward movement of Miss Spratt’s mount. He told the committee that if there was movement by Mr McDonald’s mount it was very minimal and not a contributing factor.

Miss Spratt had no questions.

Miss Spratt informed the committee she was on the favourite and her mount was travelling well. She believed there was a gap presented to her mount rounding the bend, and she was entitled to take it. She felt that jockey McDonald tried to hold her in and that she rode competitively when the gap was presented. She did concur that there was a lot of buffeting.

In summing up Mr Goodwin told the committee he believed that at no time was there a gap presented for Miss Spratt to take. She made her own. She did have an option to wait but she chose not to and continued to ride her mount vigorously.

In reply Miss Spratt believed there was a gap presented .She aimed for it and took it.

DECISION AND REASON

Miss Spratt in finding the charge proven we have revisited the available films and carefully considered the evidence presented. We believe it is a severe case of careless riding. You angled your mount out and on to EYE ME UP forcing him off line and bumping him sideways. We believe you made your own gap. There was not one presented.

SUBMISSIONS ON PENALTY

Mr Goodwin informed the committee Miss Spratt’s record under this rule was not good. Since 23 January 2008 she has been charged four further times under this rule resulting in various periods of suspension. He asked the committee to take into account the status of the race ( group 3 race), the degree of interference, and the fact she did not admit the breach. He asked for a period of suspension of 2 or 3 weeks and a fine ranging between 3 and 5 thousand dollars.

Miss Spratt indicated that in the event of a period of suspension being imposed she wished it to begin immediately. After discussions with her employer she asked if it could be deterred because of upcoming engagements. She had no other comment.

DECISION AND REASON

Miss Spratt, in coming to our decision to suspend and fine you we have taken into account the fact that you did not admit the breach of the rule, the status of the race, it was a group 3 race with total stake money of $100.000, your previous record under this rule and the belief that this committee has that it is a severe case of careless riding.

Taking those four criteria into consideration we have decided to suspend you from race riding from the completion of racing on Saturday 18 October until the completion of racing on Saturday 8 November. Included in the period are three premier race meetings. We have also decided to fine you $5000.

T W Castles (Chairman)