Waipukurau RC – 6 December 2009 – Race 8

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hearing_racingtype: thoroughbred-racing

startdate: 06/12/2009

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hearing_title: Waipukurau RC - 6 December 2009 - Race 8

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Decision:

K. Hercock permitted her mount Latchford Star to shift in over the final stages when not clear of Shoothim (J. Parkes) who was taken off its line of running onto OCerkins Luck which clipped heels and fell.   Rule 638 (1) (D).

K. Hercock permitted her mount "Latchford Star" to shift in over the final stages when not clear of "Shoothim" (J. Parkes) who was taken off its line of running onto "OCerkins Luck" which clipped heels and fell.  Rule 638 (1) (D). 

Miss. Hercock confirmed her admittance of the breach and that she understood the rule. 

Stipendiary Steward  R Neal, using the available films, pointed out that on three separate occasions "Latchford Star" ducked sharply inwards in the run to the line.   

The stewards were not overly concerned on the first two occasions the horse moved inwards because on both occasions Miss Hercock took remedial action by pulling off and putting her whip away.  However, on the third occasion of inward movement, Miss Hercock struck her mount at least three times which Mr Neal believed caused "Latchford Star" to severely hamper the horse on its inside "Shoothim" and forced that horse onto "OCerkins Luck" causing that horse to fall.

Mr. Neal believed that Miss Hercock as an experienced jockey should not have struck her mount on the third occasion as it moved sharply inward.  He felt the two previous inward movements should have been a strong indication to Miss Hercock of the horse’s action.  He told the committee that Miss Hercock should have exercised a higher degree of care. 

Miss Hercock confirmed again her admittance of the breach and told the committee that it was a serious lack of judgement on her part.  She had not ridden the horse before and was unaware of any tendencies for it to change ground sharply.

Submissions on Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Neal informed the committee of Miss Hercock’s record under this rule.  She has been charged 3 times in the last 12 months.  The last one at Tauranga in April in which she received a  4 day suspension.  He believed Miss Hercocks record was very good, she is a senior rider who rides only in the North Island.  He felt there were some mitigating circumstances, her horse was leading just short of the post and she had corrected her movement on two other occasions after sharp inward movement.

However, Stipendiary Steward Neal was of the opinion that as a senior and respected jockey she had a duty to ride in a safe and competent manner and on this occasion she did not.  He asked for a substantial period of suspension in the 4 week range to reflect the seriousness of the incident, pointing out that a horse did clip heels and fall.

Miss Hercock asked for a period of suspension to begin immediately and asked the committee to take into account her admittance of the breach and her obvious concern over the incident.  She did have a busy riding period coming up over the Christmas period with what looked to be good rides at the Ellerslie Carnival.

Decision and Reason:

In coming to our decision to impose a period of suspension for this breach of the rule, we have taken into account your admittance of the breach and the obvious remorse you have shown.  We concur that your record under this rule is good and as a senior rider you ride throughout the North Island on a regular basis.

We did note Stipendiary Steward Neals comment on some mitigating circumstances in the lead up to the final inward movement of your mount, and his belief that a substantial period of suspension in the vicinity of four weeks be imposed because of the seriousness of the incident.

We have also carefully considered your request to ride at the Ellerslie Carnival commencing on Boxing Day.

There is no doubt it is a busy period on the racing calendar with a large number of race days scheduled for December.

We however view this breach of the rule as one in the mid to high range.  Your actions in stopping riding and pulling your mount of on two occasions were noted.  It was however, the third sharp inward movement causing contact to the horse on your inside "Shoothim" who in turn made contact with "OCerkins Luck" causing that horse to fall that we were most concerned about.  Instead of pulling off as you had done previously, you elected to strike with the whip three times your mount causing we feel "OCerkins Luck" to clip heels and fall.

As a senior rider we would have expected greater care.

This lack of judgement we are adamant must be reflected in the penalty.  Miss Hercock, this committee suspends you from race riding after the completion of racing today, Sunday the 6th of December until the completion of racing on Sunday the 27th Day of December (11 North Island days).

T. W. Castles                        I. Smith

CHAIR                                    Committee Member

062

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hearing_type: Old Hearing

Rules: 638.1.d

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race_title: Race 8

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meetdate: 06/12/2009

meet_title: Waipukurau RC - 6 December 2009

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name: Waipukurau RC