Waikato TR 12 June 2024 – R7 – Jessica Allen

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 7, the Respondent Apprentice Rider Jessica Allen admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of BECAUSE, she allowed her mount to shift inwards shortly after the start when not sufficiently clear of WAIHI WARRIOR, which had to be firmly restrained and lost ground.

The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach.

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 G Stewart demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Senior Stipendiary Steward A Dooley said that soon after the start, Ms Allen looks to her inside and begins to move across the field, while only 1 length clear of WAIHI WARRIOR on her inside. WAIHI WARRIOR had to be restrained and lost ground.

Ms Allen admitted the breach and said she had simply misjudged the distance.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Senior Stipendiary Steward A Dooley produced the Respondent’s riding record, which he considered was very good. This was Ms Allen’s second breach in 227 rides, an excellent record for an Apprentice Rider. Mr Dooley said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range.

Mr Harris agreed that Ms Allen had an excellent record and added that she was very diligent in attending all Apprentice Rider Training. The incident was caused by a misjudgment on her part.

Ms Allen requested a deferment until after the 22nd of June, to meet riding engagements.

In terms of any proposed penalty, Ms Allen asked if the Adjudicative Committee could take into consideration, her very good record.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined Ms Allen’s carelessness to be in the low range and adopted a 5 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 directed her mount inwards, when not the required distance clear of the runner to her inside.

From the 5-day starting point, the Adjudicative Committee has applied a 1-day discount to reflect Ms Allen’s admission of the breach and her excellent record.

After consideration of the above factors, a 4-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted and her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days, commencing after racing on 22 June 2024 and concluding after racing on 28 June 2024 (23/6 to 28/6 inclusive).