Winton HRC – 21 September 2007 – Race 8

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startdate: 21/09/2007

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hearing_title: Winton HRC - 21 September 2007 - Race 8

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At the conclusion of race 8, the Inter-Island Horse Transport pace an information was lodged by Stipendiary Steward Mr C J Allison, under Rule 869 (4) alleging that with approximately 900 meters to run A J Suddaby, driver of ZIPPYS LAST eased causing interference

At the conclusion of race 8, the Inter-Island Horse Transport pace an information was lodged by Stipendiary Steward Mr C J Allison, under Rule 869 (4) alleging that with approximately 900 meters to run Mr A J Suddaby, driver of ZIPPYS LAST eased causing interference to BIGTIME BLUE JEAN driven by Mr R N Burton.

Stipendiary Steward Mr P T Knowles used several video clips of the alleged incident demonstrating in his opinion where the alleged interference took place. Mr Knowles highlighted ZIPPYS LAST moving around the field and sitting in the parked position at about the 900m mark. Mr Knowles stated that Mr Suddaby eased his horse ZIPPYS LAST very quickly and in doing so causing Miss Malcolm, driving SIMRE GIRL, who was directly behind ZIPPYS LAST, also to ease, and as a result BIGTIME BLUE JEANS driven by R N Burton, having no option also to restrain his horse sharply which in turn clipped a sulky wheel causing his horse to break and lose all chance.

Miss Malcolm, driven of SIMRE GIRL, stated that she did have to ease her horse but only lightly however she did say that Mr Burton did have to ease his horse more abruptly as a result of her easing SIMRE GIRL back onto BIGTIME BLUE JEAN.

Mr Burton stated that in his opinion Mr Suddaby's action in easing his horse happened far too quickly, and as a result Miss Malcolm had to ease her horse, SIMRE GIRL, back onto him. Mr Burton continued saying that he had no options left to him, he had a horse travelling on the inside of him and another horse travelling on the outside of him effectively leaving him nowhere to go. Mr Burton stated that he did not ease his horse out at any point and did not contribute to the incident in any way.

Mr Burton said his horse BIGTIME BLUE JEAN was travelling extremely well at the alleged time of the incident and that his horse required veterinary attention after the race as a result of the incident.

Mr Suddaby, driver of ZIPPYS LAST stated that he did not believe his actions caused the alleged interference, and that in any race on any given race day, drivers put their horse in the "parked" position and then eased off as he did in this instance.

At this point Mr Suddaby was given the opportunity, by the JCA, to defer the hearing as he indicated his witnesses had left the racecourse. Mr Suddaby declined this opportunity stating that his witnesses would only reinforce what he was saying.

Mr Suddaby continued stating that it was his opinion that Mr Burton was trying to ease his horse out and as a result clipped a sulky wheel which caused his horse BIGTIME BLUE JEAN to break.

Stipendiary Steward Mr Allison used the video clips to clarify to all parties exactly where Mr Suddaby believed Mr Burton had eased out and he also identified the horses travelling on the fence, two wide, and three wide positions at the time of the alleged incident.

In our opinion a clear breach of the rule has occurred and as a result the charge under Rule 869 (4) has been upheld. Mr Suddaby has moved his horse ZIPPYS LAST around the field to sit in the parked position and has restrained his horse sharply which is exemplified clearly in the video clips of the incident. The easing off of the pace has caused SIMRE GIRL to be eased and then BIGTIME BLUE JEAN also to be severely eased resulting in this horse clipping a wheel of the horse on its outside, eventually BIGTIME BLUE JEAN breaking and losing all chance.

We do not accept Miss Malcolm's statement that she only lightly eased SIMRE GIRL. We agree with Mr Burton that his actions when having to ease his horse were evasive and reactionary as a result of the easing of the horses in front of him (SIMRE GIRL and ZIPPYS LAST).

In fixing penalty the committee considered the following points : Mr Suddaby's previous driving record over the past twelve months which showed no breaches of this particular rule.

Consideration was also given to the fact that Mr Suddaby is a senior horseman who drives regularly throughout Otago and Southland, generally driving seven to eight horses on any given race day.

It was also noted that Mr Suddaby had not admitted the breach of this rule, 869 (4), on this occasion.

Mr Suddaby was fined the sum of $250 (two hundred and fifty dollars).

N D Skelt

Chairman

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hearing_type: Old Hearing

Rules: 869.4

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race_title: Race 8

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meetdate: 21/09/2007

meet_title: Winton HRC - 21 September 2007

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