Matamata RC 8 October 2022 – R12 (Heard 12 October 2022 at Avondale) – Lynsey Satherley

Introduction

This charge arises from the meeting held at the Matamata RC on Saturday 8 October 2022. The Information (No. A17240) was filed and adjourned due to Mrs Satherley having left the course.

The charge was subsequently dealt with at the Avondale JC meeting on Wednesday 12 October 2022.

Information No. A17240 alleges that Class A Rider Mrs Satherley left the racecourse without gaining permission of the Stewards.

At the commencement of the hearing Mrs Satherley advised that she wished to enter ‘no plea’ to the charge. On that basis the hearing was conducted as a denied breach and evidence was heard from Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones and Mrs Satherley.

Rule 606 provides that:

Unless otherwise permitted by a Stipendiary Steward, once a Rider has presented himself in the jockey’s room in accordance with Rule 605(1) that Rider must remain in the jockeys’ room and other areas specified by the Stipendiary Stewards, until he / she has completed his riding engagements, when he shall seek the permission of a Stipendiary Steward to leave.

Evidence

Evidence of Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones

Mr Jones said that following Race 12, Stewards identified that Mrs Satherley had breached the Whip Rule and were intending to file an Information and place the charge before the raceday Adjudicative Committee.

He said that Stewards made enquiries to locate Mrs Satherley for the purpose of arranging for the charge to be heard, and it was established that she had left the course. He added that the last race was run at 5.19 pm and a phone message was left for Mrs Satherley at 5.48 pm.

Mr Jones concluded his evidence by pointing out that Riders are required to seek Stewards’ permission to leave the course, and, on this occasion, Mrs Satherley failed to do so.

Evidence of Mrs Satherley

Mrs Satherley said that she did not have her phone on and picked up the Steward’s message when she arrived home.  She said that she waited for 40 minutes after the last race before leaving the course. She noted that other Riders had also left (without seeking permission) and assumed that she was also clear to leave.

Decision

The charge is proved. It is accepted that Mrs Satherley did wait until 40 minutes after the last race before leaving, and on that basis may have assumed there were no pending charges.  However, the Rule can be categorised as one of strict liability and she should have advised Stewards before leaving the racecourse.

Penalty Submissions

Mr Jones submitted that the Penalty Guide provides for a $100 fine for a breach of this Rule. He said there have been two breaches of the Rule in the past two years, both resulting in $100 fines. He added that Mrs Satherley has a good record under the Rule.

Reasons for Penalty

Mrs Satherley is a very experienced Senior Rider, and this is her first breach of this Rule. There is a limited number of precedent cases.

In this instance, after considering the circumstances of the breach and Mrs Satherley’s good record under this Rule, a fine of $75 is imposed.

Conclusion

The Respondent Mrs Satherley is fined $75.