NZ Metro TC 23 June 2023 – R6 – Olivia Thornley

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 6, the Respondent Junior Driver Olivia Thornley, admitted a breach of Rule 869(4)  namely that as the Driver of LIFE’S A BEACH failed to maintain a straight course in the run home, resulting in outside runners being hampered.

The Respondent endorsed the Information ‘I do admit the breach of the Rule’ and confirmed she understood the Rule and the nature of the charge. The Respondent was supported at the hearing by Open Driver, Zachary Butcher.

Rule 869 (4) provides:

(4) No driver shall during any race do anything which interferes or is likely to interfere with his own horse and/or any other horse or its progress.

Home Straight Regulation 7 provides:

7. Except where a driver is making a move pursuant to Rule 869(7) and subject to the preceding provisions of this regulation where applicable, every horse shall upon entering the home straight prior to the finish maintain as straight a course as possible to the finish line.

Using available video footage, Stipendiary Steward Mr Williams identified LIFE’S A BEACH positioned in contention as the field turned for home. Mr Williams stated that Miss Thornley had a tight hold on the inside rein, as the horse was tending to lay out. He said that Miss Thornley was still driving the horse out with the right rein and as a result, LIFE’S A BEACH drifted out gradually on the track, eventually hampering several runners including WARLOCH, who had his rightful running line denied.

Mr Butcher stated that the movement was gradual and that halfway down the straight, Miss Thornley had LIFE’S A BEACH on a true line.

Decision:

The charge is admitted by the Respondent and is therefore deemed proved.

Submission for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Williams stated that Miss Thornley had a clear record in regard to this Rule.  The Respondent, he said, has had 65 drives so far this season with 95 drives last season.

Mr Williams added that Stewards assessed the breach as mid range and therefore a suspension as per the Penalty Guide, a 2 day suspension, be considered as penalty.

The Respondent submitted that she would like any suspension to start as soon as possible.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Penalty Guide provides a penalty starting point of;

• 1st offence-2-day suspension

After taking into account the submissions of both the Applicant and Respondent; noting the race film and the resultant impact on the affected runners, the Adjudicative Committee also assessed the breach as mid range and determined that a 2 day suspension was an appropriate penalty in this case.

Conclusion:

The Respondent was suspended from the conclusion of racing on 23 June 2023, up to and including 2 July 2023. Relative meetings encompassed in this period of suspension are Addington 30 June 2023 and Addington 2 July 2023. Of note, the meeting at Addington on 25 June 2023 was not considered, as Drivers were already declared for the meeting.