Waikato TR 26 June 2024 – R2 – Ace Lawson-Carroll

Introduction

Following the running of Race 2, Apprentice Rider Mr Lawson-Carroll (supported by Trainer Ms Moira Murdoch) admitted a charge of Careless Riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d). The Information alleged that Mr Lawson-Carroll:

“permitted his mount ORANGE PEARL to shift inwards near the 150 metres when insufficiently clear of STONYBRECK which was dictated inwards, having to be steadied and WITH YOU had to be checked.”

Mr Lawson-Carroll confirmed that he understood the Rule and admitted 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.

Evidence

Using available race films, Stipendiary Steward Mr Dooley demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned, namely ORANGE PEARL (A Lawson-Carroll), STONYBRECK (M McNab) and WITH YOU (K Asano).

Mr Dooley pointed out that nearing the 150 metre mark in the home straight, Mr Lawson-Carroll shifted his mount inwards from a three-wide position.  In doing so, he dictated his mount inwards onto STONYBRECK, who was seeking to find a run near the rails.  STONYBRECK had to be steadied and forced onto WITH YOU, which was checked and had to be restrained.  Both STONYBRECK and WITH YOU lost ground.   At the time of the shift, ORANGE PEARL was no more than his own length and one other clear of STONYBRECK.

In response, Mr Lawson-Carroll said that although he was aware that WITH YOU was racing on the rails, he was unaware that STONYBRECK was on his inside “until Michael (McNab) yelled out”.

Decision

As Mr Lawson-Carroll admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee found the breach proved.

Submissions for Penalty

Stipendiary Steward Mrs Selvakumaran produced Mr Lawson-Carroll’s riding record over the previous 12 months.  She said that from 419 race rides in that 12 month period, this was his 6th breach of the Careless Riding Rule. His previous breach occurred on 27 April 2024 at Wanganui.

Mrs Selvakumaran considered this breach to be in the low to mid-range.

Mr Lawson-Carroll sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing on 29 June 2024. In support, Ms Murdoch had nothing further to add.

Reasons for Penalty

After consideration of the circumstances of the breach and submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr Lawson-Carroll’s carelessness to be in the low to mid-range, which has a penalty starting point of a 6 day suspension.

In assessing Mr Lawson-Carroll’s level of carelessness, the nature and severity of the interference suffered by both STONYBRECK and WITH YOU, were taken into account.  In this regard, STONYBRECK was searching for a run when dictated onto and WITH YOU was weakening after leading into the straight.  This being his 6th breach within 12 months, Mr Lawson-Carroll’s record is assessed as poor, and a one day uplift is applied. For his admission of the breach, a one day reduction is applied, resulting in a 6 day suspension being imposed.

Conclusion

Mr Lawson-Carroll’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for 6 National Riding Days, commencing on 30 June 2024, up to and including racing on 7 July 2024  (inclusive).