Wellington RC – 27 January 2007 – Race 9

hearingid: 4abbbf2c1bbe002f93d56942141a1471

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hearing_racingtype: thoroughbred-racing

startdate: 27/01/2007

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decisiondate: no date provided

hearing_title: Wellington RC - 27 January 2007 - Race 9

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Following the running of Race 9, The Trusts Charitable Foundation Thorndon Mile, Ms L.Cropp was charged with careless riding under rule 871 (1) (d).

Following the running of Race 9, The Trusts Charitable Foundation Thorndon Mile, Ms L.Cropp was charged with careless riding under rule 871 (1) (d). The information alleged near the 1400m L.Cropp the rider of Bonjour allowed her mount to shift inward tightening Penny Florence (N.Harris), Fiscal Madness (G.Boss), Rosina Lad (G.McKeon) and Delbrae (C.Johnson) who was checked.

Ms Cropp did not admit the breach.

Mr. George called on Mr.Goodwin to outline the alleged incident by way of video. Using the head on film first of all, Mr. Goodwin identified all of the horses affected and showed Bonjour ridden by Ms Cropp move inwards which caused tightening to four runners on its inside. Delbrae, closest to the rail, received the most pressure resulting in Mr. Johnson having to check his mount. Mr Goodwin told the committee that there was no pressure from outside Ms Cropp which may have caused her to roll inwards.

The side-on film showed the extent to which Delbrae was checked which Mr Goodwin described as severe.

Mr George called Mr Noel Harris, the rider of Penny Florence as a witness. Following questioning from Mr George Mr Harris explained how near the 1400m mark his mount was crowded from the outside by Ms Cropp riding Bonjour. The pressure went on for some time causing his horse to become unbalanced. He yelled to Ms Cropp that it was getting tight. Prior to the incident Mr Harris said that he had clear racing room between Bonjour on his outside and Fiscal Madness on his inside and the only reason he was crowded was due to Bonjour moving inwards approximately half a horse width.

Mr George told the committee that prior to the incident all of the horses to the inside of Bonjour had sufficient racing room and it was only the movement inwards of half a horse by Bonjour that caused the tightening to other runners and the severe check to Delbrae.

Ms Cropp maintained that Penny Florence (N.Harris) racing on her inside caused all the trouble by running up onto the heels of Sir Slick, when that runner eased off the speed, causing compression of the field. She said that she had nothing to do with the interference and that at no stage did she ever put pressure onto Noel Harris. She said that there was always a gap between their two horses. Ms Cropp added that Chris Johnston on Delbrae was slow away.

The committee had careful regard to all of the submissions put before it. It was our view having considered the films at length and taking into account the evidence, particularly that of Mr Harris, that Ms Cropp did move inwards on Bonjour. This caused tightening to Penny Florence with a domino effect onto other runners culminating with the horse closest to the fence, Delbrae, being checked. Mr Goodwin showed both the side-on and head-on films in slow motion and normal speed and we are not satisfied that Sir Slick was the cause of the incident. The committee found the charge of careless riding proved.

Mr George's submissions to the committee included producing Ms Cropp's riding record.

Recent suspensions for careless riding: 30/12/06 4 days

9/12/06 3 days

25/10/06 3 days

Mr George said that the circumstances of the incident and taking into account the status of the race (Group 1) that the penalty should be a suspension of not less than five days.

Ms Cropp told the committee that she rides in both North and South Islands at all race meetings.

In coming to a decision on penalty the committee considered all of the submissions put before it.

The aggravating factors in this matter are firstly that Delbrae received a significant check and three other runners were crowded.

Secondly Ms Cropp's riding record, not withstanding the number of rides that she has, is not impressive.

Having regard to Mr George's submissions in relation to penalty and taking all matters into account Ms Cropp is suspended from the close of racing on Wednesday 31^st January until the close of racing on Thursday 8^th February.

N.Moffatt                                                                                Neville Harris

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hearing_type: Old Hearing

Rules: 871.1.d

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