Racing Te Aroha – 4 April 2009 –

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startdate: 04/04/2009

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hearing_title: Racing Te Aroha - 4 April 2009 -

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Following Race 5 an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 1002 (1) (B) by the Informant Mr R Sanders.  He alleged that as the official Judge at Racing Te Aroha today Mr T Thompson failed to comply with his requirements under Rule 875 (1).  As a result Mr Thompson incorrectly placed ‘Sky Rocket’ 4^th and ‘Mallinson Road’ 3^rd when in fact they should have been vice versa. 

Following Race 5 an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 1002 (1) (B) by the Informant Mr R Sanders.  He alleged that as the official Judge at Racing Te Aroha today Mr T Thompson failed to comply with his requirements under Rule 875 (1).  As a result Mr Thompson incorrectly placed ‘Sky Rocket’ 4^th and ‘Mallinson Road’ 3^rd when in fact they should have been vice versa.  Mr Thompson admitted the breach.

Mr Sanders said the error was brought to his attention approximately 10 – 15 minutes after the race when Mr Thompson acknowledged his mistake to the Stewards.  Unfortunately by this time the dividends had been paid out.  Upon discovering the mistake assistant Stipendiary Steward Mr J Oatham was immediately sent to view the film.  He confirmed that indeed the 3^rd and 4^th place getters were called the wrong way round.

Mr Sanders produced the betting figures on the 2 horses concerned and told the Committee of the effect the mistake had on punters.  He said it was to Mr Thompson’s credit he had come to the Stewards immediately he had discovered his mistake and but for this may well have not been detected.

Mr Thompson said in his submission that the margin between the 2 horses was miniscule as the finish was head up head down.  He officially declared a nose, but as was his normal practice, he reviewed the films a short time later when he discovered his error.  He said he immediately informed the Stewards.  He told the Committee of his remorse and would always remember this day.  He said he would certainly learn from the mistake he had made.

The Photo Finish Operator Mr Dave Stewart submitted the Finish responsibilities were a joint effort and admitted the error just as Mr Thompson had.  He said he admired Mr Thompson for putting his hand up immediately.

Mr G Simon in support of Mr Thompson said when he first heard of the mistake he wondered how on earth Mr Thompson could have erred.  However on viewing the film he completely understood how it did occur as the margin was fine.  He believed a back up camera would be a huge help.

PENALTY SUBMISSIONS

Mr Sanders asked the Committee to consider Mr Thompson’s guilty plea, his early admission of his error and that he had only been a Judge since last August.  However any penalty had to reflect seriousness of the charge and he submitted a fine in the range of $1500 - $2500 would be appropriate.

PENALTY

The Committee spent time in giving careful thought to all submissions before imposing a fair penalty.  In particular we have taken into account the following:

1        Mr Thompson’s guilty plea

2        His immediate admission of his mistake by informing the Stewards when it could easily have remained undetected.

3        Mr Thomson’s relative inexperience in that he has only been a judge for 8 months

4        Mr Thompson’s obvious remorse and the embarrassment this mistake has meant to him

5        However the Committee cannot overstate the seriousness of this mistake and the repercussions arising from it.  It is noted that apart from the loss to punters TRAC Racing has paid $1750 to the connections of the 4^th horse by way of lost stake money

Accordingly, and weighing all the above factors and in particular some mitigating circumstances, we are imposing a fine at the low end of what Mr Sanders asked for, that fine being $1500.

Richard Seabrook

Chairman

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hearing_type: Old Hearing

Rules: 1002.1.b, 875.1

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