R Rotorua 10 December 2023 – R7 – Joe Doyle

ID: RIB30721

Respondent(s):
Joe Doyle - Jockey

Applicant:
Mrs L Selvakumaran - Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Hon J W Gendall KC

Persons Present:
Mrs Selvakumaran, Mr A Dooley - Senior Stipendiary Steward, Mr J Doyle

Information Number:
A17859

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Careless Riding

Rule(s):
638(1)(d) - Riding/driving infringement

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
SASSY LASS

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
10/12/2023

Race Club:
Rotorua Racing Club

Race Location:
Arawa Park Racecourse - 274 - 287 Fenton Street, Glenhome, Rotorua, 3010

Race Number:
R7

Hearing Date:
10/12/2023

Hearing Location:
Rotorua

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Jockey Joe Doyle is suspended for 5 days

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 7, the “Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series 1400”, Mrs Selvakumaran presented an Information charging Mr Doyle, the Rider of “SASSY LASS” with careless riding.  She alleged that Mr Doyle permitted his mount to shift inwards near the 1000 metre mark when not sufficiently clear of “LET’S ROCKNROLL” (Mr N Parmar), which was forced to check upon clipping heels with Mr Doyle’s mount.

Mr Doyle admitted the charge.

The evidence of Mr Doyle, supported by the race films, was that ‘SASSY LASS” was 3-4 horse widths from the fence at the 1000 metre mark and proceeding forward to secure a handy position.  Mr Doyle looked 3 times to his inside to ensure he was the required distance ahead of the horses on his inside.  As he tried to move his mount forward, horses in front of him steadied.  He consequently had to steady his mount, but allowed it to move inwards when not sufficiently clear of “LET’S ROCKNROLL”, which required Mr Parmar to check his mount, and in doing so, clipping the heels of “SASSY LASS”.

Decision:

As the charge was admitted, it was deemed proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

The Informant referred to the NZTR Guide (7 days suspension mid range offending) and advised that Mr Doyle had a reasonably good record given that he was a very busy Jockey and given the number of rides he had had over the past 12 months. Mr Doyle sought a deferment of any suspension due to his upcoming commitments.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Adjudicative Committee assessed the level of this breach to be in the “low” range. To some extent, Mr Doyle was unfortunate in that he had elected to proceed, legitimately, into a gap but was forced to ease his mount when horses in front of him eased. His error was that in doing so, he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of Mr Parmar’s mount.

Mr Doyle is a very busy Rider and whilst he has had 4 previous breaches of this Rule in the last 12 months, that is not regarded as warranting an increased suspension given the volume of rides he has had.

Conclusion:

In line with the Penalty Guide, his Licence to ride is suspended for 5 National Riding Days to commence at the conclusion of racing on 16 December 2023, and to finish at the end of racing on 24 December 2023.

Decision Date: 10/12/2023

Publish Date: 13/12/2023