Otago RC – 20 May 2010 – R 2

hearingid: 7d33699e5b1ceb6ae0b508305fa120f4

informantnumber:

horsename:

hearing_racingtype: thoroughbred-racing

startdate: 20/05/2010

newcharge:

plea:

penaltyrequired:

decisiondate: no date provided

hearing_title: Otago RC - 20 May 2010 - R 2

charge:

facts:

appealdecision:

isappeal:

submissionsfordecision:

reasonsfordecision:

Decision:

RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION

Informant:  Mr M Davidson - stipendiary steward

Defendant:  Mr J Bullard - licensed jockey

Information No:  5523

Meeting:  Otago Racing Club

Date:  20/5/10

Venue:  Wingatui Racecourse

Race:  2

Rule No:  638(1)(d)

Judicial Committee:  G Hall, Chairman – D Steel, Committee Member 

Plea:  Not Admitted

Also Present:  Mr C George, - Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr J Laking, - licensed jockey

CHARGES:

Mr Bullard is charged with committing a breach of R 638(1)(d) (careless riding) in that near the 1000 metres he permitted his mount PETRANOVA to shift in when not clear of THRILLER taking that horse inwards and severely crowding ESTEE LORDIA, AMERICAN APPAREL, and FAREWELL FLIGHT.

FACTS:

Mr Davidson had Mr George describe the incident on the head-on and side-on videos. These showed that when ¾ of length clear of THRILLER, Mr Bullard allowed his mount PETRANOVA to shift inwards. The result was that Mr Laking line was dictated and he came into contact with the horse on his inner ESTEE LORDIA. There was resulting crowding to AMERICAN APPAREL and FAREWELL FLIGHT. Mr George stated that Mr Laking was unable to maintain a straight line because of the inwards shifting by PETRANOVA. He described the movement as half a horse width, which he said was not a great distance, but in this case, it was sufficient to cause interference to THRILLER and to the horses on that horse’s inside. He demonstrated on the side-on video that these horses lost ground at the point he alleged Mr Bullard moved in. He said there was contact between THRILLER and ESTEE LORDIA.

Mr Laking gave evidence that some 200 metres after the start, when he was racing 4 or 5 wide, Mr Bullard had come over “a tad” for a stride, a stride and a half. He said he was dictated inwards, there was tightening, and had come close to clipping a heel. He said there was calling for room by jockeys on his inside. He said Mr Bullard was pressing forward at the time but he also acknowledged that his horse was over-racing. He said Mr Bullard was only ¾ L clear when he crossed. Had Mr Bullard stayed off, he said he would have been able to push his horse forward. When questioned by Mr Bullard as to whether his horse was “a bit intimidated”, he said it probably had been, because “it’s not a great horse in tight quarters”. He added that he was not helped by PETRANOVA rushing up on his outside and moving in for a stride and a half. He reiterated his horse was over-racing at the time.

Mr Bullard did not give evidence.

SUBMISSION(s):

Mr Davidson stated Mr Bullard had moved in half a horse width and in so doing had dictated Mr Laking inwards, with buffeting being the consequence. He said dictating another jockey’s line can constitute carelessness under the rule.

Mr Bullard submitted that the movement on his part was minimal and did not amount to careless riding. He said he was unfortunate in that he was the rider on the outside and it looked bad. He said THRILLER was over-racing and ESTEE LORDIA had over-reacted to a slight bump. He said the horses were racing in tight quarters and he had only moved inwards “just a tad”.

REASON(s):

The video evidence and the evidence of Mr Laking is that Mr Bullard has moved inwards when not his length and another length clear. The inwards movement from Mr Bullard is a horse width, no more. It is for a stride and a half at the most. Unfortunately this movement was sufficient to dictate the line of Mr Laking who was racing on his inner. Mr Laking comes into contact with the horse on his inner, and buffeting between further horses on the inside is the result. There is no doubt THRILLER was over-racing. Both the stipendiary stewards and Mr Laking accept this. However, as Mr Bullard has acknowledged, he has moved just a tad. This is enough to bring PETRANOVA into the line of Mr Laking and sufficient to prevent him pushing his mount, THRILLER, forward. The contact between THRILLER and ESTEE LORDIA is the consequence of Mr Bullard’s inwards movement and the response of THRILLER to this movement.

While we have some sympathy for Mr Bullard in that the degree of movement is not huge, it is sufficient to dictate Mr Laking’s line. This movement has occurred when he was not his length and another clear. In these circumstances, we find the charge proved.

DECISION:

We find Mr Bullard to be in breach of R 638)(1)(d), careless riding.

SUBMISSION(s) ON PENALTY:

Mr Davidson described the breach as low to mid range. The movement was minimal but the consequence was a number of horses lost their positions in the field. Mr Bullard has had 3 suspensions the last 12 months. Mr Davidson indicated he believes it is appropriate to treat Mr Bullard as a central districts and South Island rider. He submitted a 4 day suspension was appropriate. Mr Bullard did not disagree with this recommendation.

REASON(s):

Mr Bullard is a busy rider with a clear record since February this year. We agree the breach is to the lower end of the range of careless riding but accept Mr Davidson’s submission that a suspension is necessary and that 4 days is appropriate.

PENALTY:

Mr Bullard has declared rides on Saturday. He is suspended from the end of racing on Saturday 22 May up to and including Friday 28 May. This is in effect 4 riding days.

G Hall                          D Steel

CHAIR                         Committee Member

5523

sumissionsforpenalty:

reasonsforpenalty:

penalty:

hearing_type: Old Hearing

Rules: 638(1)(d)

Informant:

JockeysandTrainer:

Otherperson:

PersonPresent:

Respondent:

StipendSteward:

raceid:

race_expapproval:

racecancelled:

race_noreport:

race_emailed1:

race_emailed2:

race_title:

submittochair:

race_expappcomment:

race_km:

race_otherexp:

race_chair:

race_pm1:

race_pm2:

meetid:

meet_expapproval:

meet_noreport:

waitingforpublication:

meet_emailed1:

meet_emailed2:

meetdate: no date provided

meet_title:

meet_expappcomment:

meet_km:

meet_otherexp:

tracklocation:

meet_racingtype:

meet_chair:

meet_pm1:

meet_pm2:

name: