Auckland RC – 28 December 2009 – Race 1

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hearing_title: Auckland RC - 28 December 2009 - Race 1

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AUCKLAND RACING CLUB AT ELLERSLIE

28 December 2009

RACEDAY JUDICIAL REPORT

INFORMATION NUMBER 152

Following Race 1, an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 638 (1) (D).  The Informant, Mr Oatham, alleged that Mr G McKeon allowed his mount TRIPLE EAZE to shift inwards near the 250 metres crowding MONARCH (Mr Z Razali).

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB AT ELLERSLIE

28 December 2009

RACEDAY JUDICIAL REPORT

INFORMATION NUMBER 152

Following Race 1, an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 638 (1) (D).  The Informant, Mr Oatham, alleged that Mr G McKeon allowed his mount TRIPLE EAZE to shift inwards near the 250 metres crowding MONARCH (Mr Z Razali).

Mr McKeon did not admit the breach.

Mr Coles demonstrated the video films which clearly showed at a point soon after entering the home straight Mr McKeon riding TRIPLE EAZE, racing in front and in a position one off the rail.  Mr Coles said he believed there was room on the inside of Mr McKeon for Mr Razali to take a gap.  He said that initially Mr McKeon shifted in for two strides before he stopped riding and corrected his mount.  He showed to the Committee Mr McKeon changing his whip into his left hand before striking his mount a couple of times.  At this stage Mr Coles said Mr McKeon was half a length clear of Mr Razali.  He then stated Mr McKeon rolled in onto Mr Rozali causing that horse to hit the running rail.   Mr Coles said there was minimal inward movement from Mr McKeon but when horses are racing tightly it is enough to cause interference.

Mr Razali, rider of MONARCH was called to give evidence and was assisted by Trainer Mr K Hughes.  Mr Razali said he was half a length into the gap when Mr McKeon came in onto him resulting in him hitting the rail.

Mr McKeon said his mount was hanging out so he changed his whip into his left hand.  He said there was no inward movement until there was contact with MONARCH and this contact turned TRIPLE EAZE inwards.  He inferred that MONARCH had moved out to cause this contact.  He believed that if there was any inward movement from his mount it was minimal.

Mr Oatham, in summing up, said that upon entering the straight there was clearly a rails run for MONARCH on the inside of TRIPLE EAZE.  He said Mr McKeon had received a warning that his mount wanted to lay in and this was accentuated by Mr McKeon changing his whip into his left hand and striking his mount.

DECISION

The Committee carefully considered all evidence and submissions and reviewed the films several times, particularly the back on film. 

Firstly the Committee is satisfied there was sufficient room on the inside of Mr McKeon for Mr Razali to take the gap, albeit a reasonably tight one.  We believe the films clearly showed that once Mr McKeon changed his whip to the left hand and strike his mount he rolled in approximately a half horse width.  At this stage he was half a length ahead of Mr Razali and this inward movement caused MONARCH to hit the running rail.  The Committee considered Mr McKeon’s belief that Mr Razali had moved out slightly causing the contact between the 2 horses.  However it is evident on the films that the gap between MONARCH and the running rail stayed constant.  Because Mr McKeon was not the required distance clear of Mr Razali when moving in we find the charge proven.

PENALTY SUBMISSIONS

Mr Oatham said Mr McKeon was only just returning from a prolonged spell through injury so his record was clean.  He said Mr McKeon’s inward movement was minimal but had resulted in quite a severe check to Mr Razali.  However he conceded Mr McKeon’s carelessness was at the lower end and should be penalized accordingly.

Mr McKeon said he had commitments up to and including 1 January 2010.

PENALTY

The Committee carefully considered all evidence and submissions.  We believe Mr McKeon’s carelessness was reasonably minor although as explained to him, sometimes it does not take a lot of movement to put other runners in jeopardy.  In this case Mr Razali did hit the rail. 

Taking all the above factors into account we impose a suspension on Mr McKeon from riding in races which starts after racing on 1 January 2010 and concludes after racing on 5 January 2010 (4 days)

Richard Seabrook
CHAIR
152

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Rules: 638.1.d

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