NZ Metro TC – 31 July 2008 – Race 1

hearingid: 7d7d209f5e451ab708d158ddc0242fba

informantnumber:

horsename:

hearing_racingtype: harness-racing

startdate: 31/07/2008

newcharge:

plea:

penaltyrequired:

decisiondate: no date provided

hearing_title: NZ Metro TC - 31 July 2008 - Race 1

charge:

facts:

appealdecision:

isappeal:

submissionsfordecision:

reasonsfordecision:

Decision:

Following the running of Race 1, Stock Xchange Mobile Pace, an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr N G McIntyre, against Licensed Open Horseman, Mr C T Woodward jnr, alleging a breach of Rule 867 in that Mr Woodward, as the driver of BONVOYAGE, in the Race, “drove a large majority of the run home with his foot out of the sulky footrest”.

DECISION AND REASONS:

Following the running of Race 1, Stock Xchange Mobile Pace, an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr N G McIntyre, against Licensed Open Horseman, Mr C T Woodward jnr, alleging a breach of Rule 867 in that Mr Woodward, as the driver of BONVOYAGE, in the Race, “drove a large majority of the run home with his foot out of the sulky footrest”.

Mr Woodward was present at the hearing of the information and did not admit the breach.

Rule 867 provides:

Every horseman shall drive throughout the race with both feet in the rests of the sulky provided for that purpose.

Stipendiary Steward Mrs Williams submitted that it was quite apparent from the video replay that Mr Woodward had driven for over 100 metres with a foot out of the footrest. While there were “mitigating circumstances”, the Stipendiary Stewards had concerns as to the distance over which Mr Woodward’s foot was out of the footrest and the fact that he continued to hit the horse with the whip while his foot was down. It was not “a good look” on television, she submitted.

Mr Ydgren, Stipendiary Steward, showed video replays of the final 200 metres of the Race. He pointed out BONVOYAGE trailing the leader turning into the home straight, then enter the passing lane. He then showed Mr Woodward’s right foot come out of the footrest and remain out for “a fairly long distance” to the finishing line.  Mr Woodward continued to drive the horse out while the horse drifted out, Mr Ydgren alleged.

Mrs Williams acknowledged that the conditions were unfavourable but drivers were expected to immediately replace their feet in the footrest if they slipped out. Mr Woodward was a very experienced driver and should not have had a problem with balance, Mrs Williams submitted.

Mr Woodward stated that the sulky he was using was “overbalanced” and, in the wet conditions, his foot had slipped out and it was difficult for him to retain his balance. The trainer of the horse, Mr R D Holmes, had told Mr Woodward that the cart was not of the best quality and he was going to have it attended to. It had been very difficult for him to keep his balance, Mr Woodward said. In answer to a question from the Chairman, Mr Woodward stated that he did not attempt to replace his foot because he was trying to keep his balance. The horse running out had made it worse, he said.

In considering the evidence, the Committee found that there were three principal factors that were relevant:

1.      The distance over which Mr Woodward’s foot was out of the rest which, the Committee found, was in excess of 100 metres;

2.      That Mr Woodward, by his own admission, made no effort to put his foot back in the rest; and

3.      That Mr Woodward continued to drive BONVOYAGE out to the line with his right foot out of the sulky footrest.

Even allowing for the damp conditions, on the basis of those findings the Committee was satisfied that the charge had been proved.

The wording of the Rule is quite specific and the matters put forward by Mr Woodward in his defence did not amount to a defence to the charge in the Committee’s view.

Mrs Williams sought a fine of $100. Mr Woodward had no submissions to make regarding penalty.

Mr Woodward was fined the sum of $100.

R G McKenzie

sumissionsforpenalty:

reasonsforpenalty:

penalty:

hearing_type: Old Hearing

Rules:

Informant:

JockeysandTrainer:

Otherperson:

PersonPresent:

Respondent:

StipendSteward:

raceid: 4dc249ee5ce70add07e324954ddcc70c

race_expapproval:

racecancelled: 0

race_noreport: 0

race_emailed1: 0

race_emailed2: 0

race_title: Race 1

submittochair:

race_expappcomment:

race_km:

race_otherexp:

race_chair:

race_pm1:

race_pm2:

meetid: c2f402f3f3165c98adf0c9afa5f81714

meet_expapproval:

meet_noreport: 0

waitingforpublication: 0

meet_emailed1: 0

meet_emailed2: 0

meetdate: 31/07/2008

meet_title: NZ Metro TC - 31 July 2008

meet_expappcomment:

meet_km:

meet_otherexp:

tracklocation: nz-metro-tc

meet_racingtype: harness-racing

meet_chair:

meet_pm1:

meet_pm2:

name: NZ Metro TC