Auckland TR 21 January 2023 – R6 – Joe Doyle

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 6, the Karaka million 3yo classic, Class A Rider Joe Doyle admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of DEVASTATE, he made contact with LEGARTO which became off balanced and hampered THREE NINETY.

The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach.

Rule 638(1) (d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

Using the available race films, Stipendiary Steward B Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Senior Stipendiary Steward B Jones said that rounding the corner into the home straight, DEVASATE (J Doyle) was racing on the rail, and to its outside was LEGARTO, and to its outside was THREE NINETY. He said that DEVASTATE then angled off the rail when only ½ length clear making firm contact with LEGARTO, which in turn hampered THREE NINETY.

In response, Mr Doyle stated that his horse was travelling well when a gap appeared. He said both himself and R Elliot (LEGARTO) went for the same gap, which resulted in the contact.

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved

Submission for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward J Oatham produced the Respondent’s riding record which indicated 1  previous breach under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely 18/1/23 at Waikato a penalty of 5 days.

The Respondent has had 161 mounts in the past 12 months.

Mr Oatham said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be above mid-range.  He said the interference caused by DEVASTATE to LEGARTO and THREE NINETY was significant and could have effected LEGARTO’s chance of a better placing. He added this was one of NZ’s richest races and that this should be considered when assessing penalty.

The Respondent had a suspension due to start after racing on the 28th of January, until and including, the 6th of February. Any proposed suspension was due to start immediately following the completion of this suspension.

The Respondent had nothing to add in terms of penalty submissions.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be above mid range and adopted an 8 day (suspension) as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 1 March 2022).

The available films clearly established that the Respondent shifted outwards when not clear of LEGARTO, who was checked and made contact with THREE NINETY to its outside. The Adjudicative Committee noted that LEGARTO had established itself in a one off position prior to the interference and was entitled to the gap that DEVASTATE (J Doyle) tried to take.

The Respondent’s riding record is treated as a mitigating factor and a 1-day reduction was applied to the 8-day starting point for his admission of the breach and good record.

Rule 920(2) empowers an Adjudicative Committee in imposing a penalty, to have due regard to such matters as it considers appropriate including: (a) the Status of the Race; (b) the stake payable in respect of the Race; and / or (c) the consequences.

On this occasion due to the status of the race, $1,000,000 Listed restricted race), the Adjudicative Committee applied a 3 day uplift.

After consideration of the above factors, a 10-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 10 days, commencing after racing on 6/2/23 and concluding after racing on 23/2/23.