Riccarton Park – Amberley 22 June 2024 – R7 – Stephen Marsh
ID: RIB43712
Animal Name:
Divine Sava
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
22/06/2024
Race Club:
Canterbury Jockey Club
Race Location:
Riccarton Park - 165 Racecourse Road, Christchurch,
Race Number:
R7
Hearing Date:
22/06/2024
Hearing Location:
Riccarton Park, Christchurch
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Class A Trainer, Stephen Marsh, fined $150
BACKGROUND:
Information No A19606 was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson, against Licensed Class A Trainer, Stephen Marsh, alleging that he “failed to declare a Rider for DIVINE SAVA by the required time”.
The breach was admitted.
Rule 537 provides as follows:
The Trainer or Owner or lessee (as the case may be) or the Agent of the Trainer or Owner or lessee (as the case may be) for a horse accepted or deemed to have been accepted for a Race shall:
(a) Declare to NZTR the name of the rider of that horse by the time and date specified by NZTR for declaration of Riders for that Race.
The time and date specified for declaration of riders was 1.00pm on 19 June.
EVIDENCE:
Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, said that Mr Marsh was the Trainer of DIVINE SAVA, which had accepted for Races 6 and 7 at the meeting. A Rider, Courtney Barnes, had been declared for the horse in Race 6, but no Rider had been declared for the horse in Race 7.
At 7.20am on Raceday, DIVINE SAVA was notified as a scratching in Race 6 and a different Rider (Brandon May) was declared for the horse in Race 7, Mr Oatham said.
DECISION:
The breach having been admitted, the charge was deemed proved.
SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:
Mr Oatham said that Mr Marsh’s record under the Rule was not a good one. This was the fourth breach within the 120 days period. The most recent (third) breach, at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing on 25 May 2024, resulted in a fine of $150, with the previous two having been dealt with under the Minor Infringement Scheme.
Mr Oatham said that, failure to declare a Rider for a dual acceptor in one race could mislead the betting public into thinking that that horse would be starting in the race for which a Rider had been declared.
Mr Oatham suggested a fine of $150 on this occasion. He pointed out that Mr Marsh has a large team of horses, racing at different venues.
REASONS FOR PENALTY:
Taking all factors into account, the Adjudicative Committee deemed that a fine of $150, as submitted by Mr Oatham, was an appropriate penalty.
CONCLUSION:
Class A Trainer, Stephen Marsh, is fined the sum of $150.
Decision Date: 22/06/2024
Publish Date: 26/06/2024