Whangarei RC 12 April 2023 – R5 – Kendra Bakker

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 5, the Respondent Apprentice Rider Kendra Bakker, admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of SKY FALLS, she permitted her mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of DROP OF SOMETHING, which had to be firmly restrained off heels near the 450m. 

The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach. Apprentice Mentor N Harris was present to assist.

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 C Simpson demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Stipendiary Steward Mr Simpson, said that approaching the 450 metre mark, the Respondent pulls the stick and allows her mount to shift in when not her length and another length clear of DROP OF SOMETHING, causing that Rider (K Asano) to firmly restrain his mount.

In response, the Respondent stated that she understood that pulling her stick wasn’t the smartest move and she should have kept pushing her mount. Mr Harris said he was disappointed that Miss Bakker had hit her horse on the turn as he speaks to the Apprentices about not doing so. He said it was only Miss Bakker’s 4th race day ride and that Apprentice School had been adjourned on the 11th of November and that there hadn’t been a full day’s school since. He said that Miss Bakker had 40 trial rides prior to today.

Decision:

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

Submission for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward A Dooley produced the Respondent’s riding record which indicated no previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months.

Miss Bakker has had 4 mounts in the past 12 months.

Stipendiary Steward A Dooley said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the mid-range. While the shift was only low, the consequences could have been far greater.

The Respondent advised that she would like to take any proposed suspension immediately.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent had nothing to submit.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be in the mid range and adopted a 7-day (suspension) as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 1 March 2022).

The available films clearly established that Miss Bakker’s mount shifted inwards when being ridden with the whip. Mr Asano, who was slightly behind and to the inside of Miss Bakker’s mount, was placed in significant difficulty, and very lucky not to have clipped heels and fallen as a result of the interference.

Having regard for Miss Bakker’s record and admission of the breach, a 1 day discount to the starting point was applied.

After consideration of the above factors, a 6-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 days commencing after racing on 12/4/23, and concluding after racing on 23/4/23.