Avondale JC – 25 April 2005 – Race 3

Following the running of Race 3, Stipendiary Steward AR Coles, filed an Information pursuant to Rule 871(1)(d) alleging that Jockey LK Cropp had committed an offence of careless riding, approximately 150 metres after the start of the race.

It was alleged that Jockey LK Cropp shifted her mount VEGAS SHOWGIRL inwards after the start when not the required distance clear of XPEDITE (ridden by Jockey M Williamson), and that by her actions the Jockey LK Cropp dictated that runner inwards into the line of running of MISSY ELLIOTT, ridden by Jockey T Thornton, who clipped a heel of another runner.

The defendant, Jockey LK Cropp, did not admit a breach of Rule 871(1)(d) and accordingly a hearing proceeded.

Jockey M Williamson gave evidence that after the start he was urging his horse forward and that it did occur that there was some tightening amongst the horses racing close to the running rail. He then observed VEGAS SHOWGIRL ridden by Jockey LK Cropp came across from an outside position and that such a movement dictated the line of running available to his mount, forcing his mount onto the line of MISSY ELLIOTT ridden by Jockey T Thornton.

Jockey T Thornton gave evidence that her mount MISSY ELLIOTT suffered severe interference when XPEDITE ridden by Jockey M Williamson was forced across onto her horse which then clipped the heels of another horse causing MISSY ELLIOTT to go down on her nose almost dislodging Jockey T Thornton.

Evidence was also given by Stipendiary Steward Trewick who demonstrated the incident with reference both to the head-on and side-on films. Stipendiary Steward Trewick claimed that Jockey LK Cropp at about 150 metres after the start allowed her mount to move approximately four horse widths to a position two off the running rail, and that movement had caused considerable crowding of the horses closer in to the running rail, with resultant interference to MISSY ELLIOTT was caused by carelessness on the part of Jockey LK Cropp.

Jockey LK Cropp strongly denied any careless riding on her part, and alleged that the problem that had arisen was caused by the inside horses who were racing close to the running rail moving out, and that outwards movement had caused the interference to Jockey T Thornton's mount, MISSY ELLIOTT, as opposed to any inward movement by her mount.

The Judicial Committee carefully considered all the evidence and heard competing submissions made by Stipendiary Steward AR Coles and Jockey LK Cropp. The Judicial Committee considered those submissions and also during the course of its deliberations again viewed carefully both the head-on and side-on films of the incident.

The Judicial Committee, after taking into account all the evidence heard by it, and after reviewing the films, came to the conclusion that Jockey LK Cropp was guilty of careless riding. In the opinion of the Judicial Committee, the films clearly showed that Jockey Cropp had moved her mount VEGAS SHOWGIRL at least approximately four horse widths in towards the running rail and that that manoeuvre was the cause of dictating Jockey M Williamson's mount XPEDITE into the running line of MISSY ELLIOTT ridden by Jockey T Thornton who stumbled badly after clipping the heels of another horse.

The Judicial Committee, whilst noting that there was some crowding of the horses adjacent to the inside rail, held that that movement was not causative of the interference caused to Jockey T Thornton's mount.

Accordingly the Judicial Committee held that the allegation of careless riding by Jockey LK Cropp was proven to the required standard.

The Judicial Committee heard forceful submissions made by Jockey LK Cropp that for this offence she should be fined and not suspended. Jockey LK Cropp emphasised in her submissions that she was the leading rider in New Zealand and that in the current season to date she had completed an extraordinary number of over 1000 raceday rides. In the course of the present racing season she had only once previously been found guilty of careless riding, that offence having been committed at Opunake in December 2004, for which she was fined $750. The Judicial Committee did not have any details of that particular offence, but having regard to the fact that a monetary penalty had been imposed it could only be assumed that that offence was of a comparatively minor nature.

The Judicial Committee, in fixing penalty, took into account Jockey LK Cropp's excellent riding record but also noted that the interference caused by her on this occasion was severe and that it occurred in a Listed race.

Taking into account that Jockey LK Cropp had confirmed declared rides for the race meeting to be held at Matamata on Wednesday 27 April, the Judicial Committee suspended Jockey LK Cropp from riding from the conclusion of racing on Wednesday 27 April until the conclusion of racing on Wednesday 4