Taupo RC – 17 August 2005 – Race 6

Following race 6 an information was filed pursuant to Rules 858(1)(a), &523(3) when it was alleged by the informant , Mr. J P Oatham, that Mr. C Ormsby, the rider of YEAR OF THE CAT , committed a breach of those rules when he failed to weigh in after riding his mount in to 2^nd place as placed by the judge. Mr. Ormsby was represented by Mr. J Gibbs and the charges were admitted.

Immediately following the race the committee had disqualified YEAR OF THE CAT under Rule 856(1).

Mr. Oatham, in his evidence, said that when it was noticed that Mr. Ormsby had not presented himself at the scales after the completion of the race he was found in the jockey's room having a discussion with Mr. D J O'Sullivan. It was then too late for him to weigh in.

Mr. Gibbs said that he had no doubt that Mr. Ormsby was embarrassed and maybe it was due to his excitement that he forgot to weigh in.

Mr. Ormsby could offer no explanation for his action, only that there were a lot of people around and he just came in and forgot to weigh in.

PENALTY: As Mr. Ormsby admitted the breach of the rules it only necessitates this committee to determine an appropriate penalty.

Mr. Oatham said that this was a serious breach of the rules. He said Mr. Ormsby was a promising rider who had not previously breached this rule, however not only had the owner suffered a significant loss with a flow on to all connections, he also noted the serious effect it had on the punters with the quinella and trifecta being affected along with the other forms of betting. He felt the integrity of racing was at stake and he believed that a term of suspension of a minimum of 1 month was appropriate.

Mr. Gibbs agreed that it was a serious offence and that the integrity of racing was paramount.

Mr. Ormsby, when asked for submission on penalty, had nothing to add.

DECISION: The committee has carefully considered all submissions. After due consideration the committee does view this offence seriously and feel that the penalty imposed must send out a clear message that this particular breach of rules will not be tolerated. In this case not only have the connections suffered a financial loss but the betting public has also suffered a great disservice through an incompetent omission on Mr. Ormsby's part.

The integrity of racing is paramount. We have to impose a penalty which will re-enforce the need for all proper precautions to be taken and which serves the purpose of the rules.

Accordingly we impose a period of suspension commencing from the conclusion of racing on 20 August till the conclusion of racing on 17 September 2005. We also order that the riding fee be forfeited.