Hawkes Bay RI – 4 August 2008 – Race 10

Miss K Myers the rider of EASE HOURS admitted a breach of Rule 871 (1) (D) in that EASE HOURS shifted into the line of RABKALAJO when not the required distance clear, resulting in RABKALAJO clipping a heel and dislodging rider J Parkes.

Miss K Myers the rider of EASE HOURS admitted a breach of Rule 871 (1) (D) in that EASE HOURS shifted into the line of RABKALAJO when not the required distance clear, resulting in RABKALAJO clipping a heel and dislodging rider J Parkes.

Stipendiary steward N Goodwin showed the available films and informed the committee that there was initially some tightening just before the incident occurred. Miss Myers’ mount moved inwards causing jockey J Parkes to take hold of his mount, just before clipping heels and falling.

Miss Myers, by way of explanation agreed there was tightening. She initially thought that Jockey Sasada’s mount MY LIPS ARE SEALED crossed when not sufficiently clear. However, on viewing the films and hearing stipendiary steward Goodwin’s interpretation of the incident she agreed that there was sufficient room. She told the committee that although jockey Parkes did not call , the tightening did cause jockey L Allpress to call. She concurred that her mount did move inwards.

Jockey D Walsh, representing Miss Myers, believed there were a number of mitigating circumstances that contributed to the incident. As a jockey who rode in the race he agreed there was tightening from a number of quarters before the incident, but informed the committee that Miss Myers’ actions in allowing her mount to move onto another horse’s line was the main contributor.

Stipendiary steward A Coles told the committee that Miss Myers’ record under this rule was very good. She was last suspended on 16 February for a period of four days. Mr Coles confirmed that Miss Myers did not ride for a period of time during the past season.

He believed this was an offence at the top end of the scale----a jockey had been dislodged--- and asked for a period of suspension of three weeks.

Miss Myers told the committee she felt her record under this rule was good. She had admitted the breach and that she had confirmed mounts on Wednesday at Riccarton. She asked for any suspension to commence after racing on Friday 8 August.

DECISION AND REASON

Miss Myers this committee has considered carefully the points raised by yourself and Mr Walsh in your submissions.

However, the facts are clear that your inward movement, when not sufficiently clear, caused jockey Parkes’ mount to clip heels and lose its footing.

We have taken into account your guilty plea and agree your record under this rule is good. Careless riding resulting in a fall is always going to result in a more severe penalty. This committee Miss Myers has decided to suspend you from race riding after the completion of racing on Friday 8 August until the completion of racing on Thursday 28 August.

T W Castles

Chairman