Wellington RC – 5 April 2008 – Race 1

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hearing_racingtype: thoroughbred-racing

startdate: 05/04/2008

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hearing_title: Wellington RC - 5 April 2008 - Race 1

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Decision:

Following the running of Race 1 Mr C Johnson was charged with careless riding under rule 871 (1) (d).  The information was lodged by Stipendiary Steward Mr N Goodwin.  It alleged that Chris Johnson the rider of SLIPPERYWHENWET allowed his mount to shift inwards when not clear of BEADA BELIEVE IT near the 350m.

Following the running of Race 1 Mr C Johnson was charged with careless riding under rule 871 (1) (d).  The information was lodged by Stipendiary Steward Mr N Goodwin.  It alleged that Chris Johnson the rider of SLIPPERYWHENWET allowed his mount to shift inwards when not clear of BEADA BELIEVE IT near the 350m.

Mr Johnson admitted the breach of the rule.

Prior to hearing submissions on penalty Mr Goodwin used the head on film to outline the circumstances that led to the charge being laid.  He said that Mr Johnson was in front of BEADA BELIEVE IT and about 2 horse widths of the fence.  At approximately the 350m mark Patrick Bell on BEADA BELIEVE IT started to move up inside SLIPPERYWHENWET and was well inside the gap when Mr Johnson on SLIPPERYWHENWET moved inwards jostling BEADA BELIEVE IT and causing Mr Bell to take hold of his mount and lose ground.  Mr Goodwin believed Mr Johnson made no effort to straighten his mount and his actions denied BEADA BELIEVE IT the run it was entitled to.

Mr Johnson said that he rolled in only slightly and whilst BEADA BELIEVE IT was inconvenienced he didn’t know whether the horse would have been able to come through the gap.

PENALTY

Mr Goodwin produced Mr Johnson’s record and said that Mr Johnson had last been charged under this rule in November 2007 and had had two other charges under the rule since the beginning of the current racing season.  He asked for a penalty of a 4 day suspension.

Mr Johnson said that he would prefer a fine to a suspension and indicated if a suspension was imposed he would like the Committee to consider deferring its commencement by 7 days. 

The Committee considered the submissions and in assessing the penalty considered the following:-

·         the degree of carelessness was not at the top end

·         Mr Johnson did tighten BEADA BELIEVE IT and deny that horse a run it was entitled to

·         Mr Johnson’s frank admission of the breach

·         Mr Johnson’s recent good riding record

Having regard to these matters the Committee believes a term of suspension is appropriate.

Mr Johnson then sought the agreement of the Committee to discuss the issue of deferment with his agent Mr Tannahill.  Mr Tannahill made representations to the Committee as to Mr Johnson’s intended riding engagements in the next two weeks.

After further consideration of the submissions put forward by Mr Tannahill the Committee’s decision is that Mr Johnson’s suspension will be deferred for 7 days and he is therefore suspended from the close of racing on Saturday 12 April 2008 until the close of racing on Friday 18 April 2008, in effect three riding days.

Neville Harris                                                                                                  Paul Williams

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hearing_type: Old Hearing

Rules: 871.1.d

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raceid: 06fa653378c25cfeab6c6bd6f97f4afb

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race_title: Race 1

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meetdate: 05/04/2008

meet_title: Wellington RC - 5 April 2008

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tracklocation: wellington-rc

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name: Wellington RC