Whangarei RC 5 August 2023 – R1 – Ace Lawson-Carroll

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 1, the Respondent Apprentice Rider Ace Lawson-Carroll, admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of EMPIRE STATE, he allowed his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of MATAI BAY, which had to be checked near the 1000m.

The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach. Ms Clotworthy 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.  He said Mr Lawson–Carroll was one off the rails, 3 back approaching the 1000m, when he commenced to ease his horse towards the rails. He said that at the time of the shift, he was not his own length and another length clear. The shift resulted in the trailing runner MATAI BAY, having to be checked off heels. As a result, both STOKES and  MATETSI were briefly inconvenienced.

In response, Mr Lawson-Carroll stated that his horse was a little green.

Ms Clotworthy said that she thought that Mr Lawson-Carroll was 1.25-1.5 lengths clear when the shift commenced and that the trailing runner MATAI BAY, was a big horse and over reacted to its Rider taking a hold.

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 3 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely;

16/12/22             5 day suspension

28/4/23               5 day suspension

14/5/23               6 day suspension

The Respondent has had 317 mounts in the past 12 months.

Stipendiary Steward A Dooley said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low-mid range.

The Respondent advised that he would take any proposed suspension immediately.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent offered no comment.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr Lawson-Carroll’s carelessness to be in the low-mid range with a low level shift of ground, but 3 horses being affected, and adopted a 6-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 ground when not sufficiently clear. The shift was gradual, but due to the bunched nature of the field, several horses were affected to varying degrees, therefore elevating the breach slightly from low level.

After consideration of the above factors, Mr Lawson-Carroll’s admission of the breach and record (which was considered neutral), 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 the 5th of August and concluding after racing on 18th of August.