Te Aroha JC – 18 April 2007 – Race 10

Following race 10 an information was lodged by Stipendary Steward Mr A R Coles pursuant to rule 871(1)(d) when he alleged that Mr M Hills committed a breach of that rule in that he permitted his mount MAHTOOT to shift outwards near the 300 metres when not sufficiently clear

Following race 10 an information was lodged by Stipendary Steward Mr A R Coles pursuant to rule 871(1)(d) when he alleged that Mr M Hills committed a breach of that rule in that he permitted his mount MAHTOOT to shift outwards near the 300 metres when not sufficiently clear of SENORITA IVORY (S Spratt) who was checked.

Mr Hills admitted the charge.

Mr M Williamson demonstrated the video. He showed where, soon after entering the straight, Mr Hills was seen, on his mount MAHTOOT, trailing HARMONY EM. SENORITA IVORY was racing on the outside of him. It was clear that there was not sufficient room for Mr Hills to go round HARMONY EM and a consequence of his forcing his way through was that SENORITA IVORY was checked and forced over extra ground.

Mr Hills, in his observation of the video, showed outward movement of HARMONY EM which, he claimed, contributed to the interference.

As Mr Hills admitted the charge we are only required to adjudicate on penalty.

PENALTY:

Mr Coles, in giving Mr Hills record which he said was good, also said that we should take into account his admission of guilt, and , although there may have been contributing factors he felt that a suspension was required for an offence at the lower end of the scale.

Mr Hills said that he accepted rides over most of the country but had not been able to confirm any commitments with his manager.

After considering submissions from both parties we suspend Mr Hill from riding commencing from the conclusion of racing on 21 April till the conclusion of racing on 27 April ? 3 days.

D C Johnstone                                                                    J Skinner

CHAIRMAN