Matamata RC 7 February 2024 – R8 – Triston Moodley

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 8, the Respondent, Apprentice Rider Triston Moodley admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of INVESTIGATE, he allowed his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of UPLIFTING, which was crowded inwards onto PLEASE SIR, which was checked near the 150m.

The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his 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, Senior Stipendiary Steward B Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Senior Stipendiary Steward B Jones said that approaching the 150m metre mark, Sam Weatherley (UPLIFTING) was improving from behind Triston Moodley (INVESTIGATE), to attempt a run between INVESTIGATE and PLEASE SIR (K Asano). Mr Moodley was riding his horse forward with the whip as it commenced to shift ground and in doing so, forced UPLIFTING off its line into the path of PLEASE SIR, which suffered a severe check. Mr Jones said that at the time of the shift, INVESTIGATE was only ¾ length clear, and the chances of UPLIFTING finishing in a better placing, was affected due to the interference.

In response, Mr Moodley said his mount was hanging in, but acknowledged he should have “backed off” and straightened his mount.

Mr Harris said that Mr Moodley should have stopped riding with the whip and straightened his mount immediately.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward L Selvakumaran produced Mr Moodley’s riding record which indicated 4 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months.

The Respondent has had 196 mounts in the past 12 months.

Stipendiary Steward L Selvakumaran said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the mid-range.

The Respondent advised of riding engagements through until 17 February and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

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

Mr Harris raised the issue that the Apprentice School had not been in operation for several months over Xmas, and this education, along with a review process of rides, could have been a factor.

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 the Respondent continued to ride his mount forward with the whip while it was shifting ground, causing interference to 2 runners.

The Respondent’s riding record is treated as an aggravating factor and a 2-day uplift was applied (a 5th breach in less than 200 rides is a poor record).  A 1 day reduction was afforded to Mr Moodley for his admission of the breach.

After consideration of the above factors, an 8-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 8 days commencing after racing on 17 February 2024, and concluding after racing on 2 March 2024.