NZ Metro TC 27 July 2023 – R1 (heard 30 July 2023 at Addington) – Alana Cameron

EVIDENCE:

Following the running of Race 1, Stipendiary Steward Mr Paul Williams presented an Information alleging a breach of Rule 869(3)(b) by Junior Driver Ms Alana Cameron.

The Information was opened and adjourned and heard at Addington Raceway, Sunday 30th July 2023.

Ms Cameron stated she was conversant with the Rule, the Charge and confirmed she did not admit the breach. Ms Cameron was assisted at the hearing by Open Driver Mr Blair Orange.

Rule 869(3)(b) provides:

No driver in any race shall drive carelessly.

The detail on the Information stated Ms Cameron “drove carelessly, firstly shifting ground when not in a position to do so near the 1700m and secondly, when shifting ground inwards sharply checking TRIPLE ROCK, which broke near the 1600m.”

Mr Williams played all available videos of the incident and pointed to Ms Cameron racing 3 -wide at the 1700m shifting her horse inwards, momentarily locking wheels, when attempting to ease MIGHTYFLYIN SUPASTAR (R Close) to the pylons. Mr Williams informed the Adjudicative Committee that in the first instance of the Information, all parties have agreed Ms Cameron was never in position to attempt to ease Mr Close down the track.

Mr Williams outlined the second element of the Information, which showed Ms Cameron easing her horse and attempting to force TRIPLE ROCK down to the pylons.

Mr Williams had Mr Sam Thornley, the Driver of TRIPLE ROCK, give his description of the incident. Mr Thornley said racing into the first bend, he could see Ms Cameron was looking to push Mr Close down the track and if unsuccessful, he could be next. He said he slapped his horse up to maintain his position following Mr Close. He said Ms Cameron has then eased and moved into him quickly, giving him no chance to avoid her, with her near side wheel striking his horse’s off hind leg.

Mr Orange asked Mr Thornley, did Ms Cameron have an advantage over him, which he agreed she had, but said her movement was too abrupt. Mr Orange said in his opinion, the movement wasn’t sharp and Ms Cameron was entitled to move down onto Mr Close’s back.

Mr Williams had Mr McIntyre point out on the video, the second element of the Information. Mr McIntyre said Ms Cameron has tried to reverse park behind Mr Close in one movement, instead of pulling back enough to clear Mr Close’s helmet, and then proceed to shift inwards.

He said Mr Thornley was entitled to be in his position, but Ms Cameron’s movement was too abrupt, denying Mr Thornley an opportunity to shift his horse away.

Mr Orange said Mr Thornley should have been aware Ms Cameron was looking to ease down, and that he was unable to keep up and prevent her from doing so. Mr Orange said Ms Cameron always had the required advantage and room to manoeuvre Mr Thornley down and it was done in an acceptable manner. He contended TRIPLE ROCK has only galloped after Ms Cameron has taken up a position behind Mr Close.

Mr Williams summed up the Stewards’ case by quoting an extract of the Easing Down Regulations.

“The onus of the driver shifting ground is to ensure the move is made with safety and does not cause interference by conducting it in a gradual and acceptable manner thereby enabling the driver of the runner being moved to then be able to make the necessary action to accommodate the manoeuvre.”

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The decision to find the charge proved was a formality given that all parties were in agreement, the first shift by Ms Cameron was a breach of the Careless Driving Rule. Whichever way the Adjudicative Committee ruled on Ms Cameron’s shifting ground on the second occasion, would have no bearing on the overall finding. No split decision under the one Information here.

However, the Adjudicative Committee, for the sake of completeness, found when Ms Cameron began shifting Mr Thornley to the pylons, after easing back from unsuccessfully attempting the same to Mr Close, she had her sulky wheel positioned underneath Mr Thornley. This compounded the lack of time Mr Thornley had to avoid the wheel of Ms Cameron as she shifted onto Mr Close’s back.

The resulting contact was responsible for TRIPLE ROCK to gallop and lose all chance.

DECISION:

The charge was found to be proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Williams stated Ms Cameron has had 63 drives this season and 39 the previous.

He said she incurred a 2-day suspension at Rangiora on the 7th May and a further 3 days at the same track on 21 July 2023, both for Careless Driving, these breaches were 7 and 11 drives ago respectively.

Mr Williams added that in Ms Cameron’s last 6 months/ 52 drives, she has breached 3 other Rules and the Stewards have some concerns of her overall driving record. He said the dual breach places the severity in the high range, Ms Cameron has won the race, TRIPLE ROCK has finish last and the Stewards believe there can be no mitigating factors to consider.

Mr Williams submitted a suspension of no less than 7 days would be appropriate.

Ms Cameron made no submissions on Penalty.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Penalty Guidelines provide a 4-day suspension starting point for a second breach of this Rule. There is no provision for a third breach, which this is, and an uplift of one day is applied from the 4-day starting point, to reflect Ms Cameron’s poor record.

In addition, the Adjudicative Committee finds the aggravating factor of Ms Cameron going on to win the race, together with TRIPLE ROCK having its chances extinguished, a further uplift of one day is added to her Penalty.

There are no mitigating factors to consider and accordingly, the Adjudicative Committee find a 6-day suspension an appropriate penalty in the circumstances of this case.

Deferment was not relevant as Ms Cameron was starting a suspension after racing today, up to and including August 18, for another matter.

CONCLUSION:

Junior Driver Ms Alana Cameron’s Licence to drive in races is suspended from the conclusion of racing on the 18 August 2023, up to and including racing on the 10 September 2023.