NZ Metro TC 16 August 2024 – R9 (heard 27 September 2024 at Addington) – Alana Cameron

Background:

This was an adjourned hearing held at the NZ Metro TC Meeting on 27 September 2024.

Following the running of Race 9, Junior Driver, Alana Cameron admitted a charge that, as the Driver of KING ARTHUR in the Race, she “failed to take all reasonable measures to win or obtain the best possible finishing position by remaining behind a weakening runner for a considerable distance passing the 600m resulting in her runner losing ground.”

Miss Cameron was assisted at the hearing by Open Driver Ricky May.

Rule 868 provides:

(2)   Every driver shall take all reasonable and permissible measures at all times during the race to ensure that his horse is given full opportunity to win the race or to obtain the best possible position and/or finishing place.

Evidence:

Stipendiary Steward, Shane Renault,  showed the video replay of the race from near the 1000m. He pointed out KING ARTHUR, driven by Alana Cameron, racing 4 back on the pylons at the 800m. He showed Miss Cameron move off the pylons at the 700m and shift out to trail ROSIE RICHTER, driven by Samantha Ottley, who was racing in the one-one position. Mr Renault showed that shortly afterwards, ROSIE RICHTER, began to give ground and from the 600m to the 500m, Miss Cameron elected to stay in the trail of ROSIE RICTHER, whilst that horse weakened and gave ground, causing her horse to lose approximately 4 to 5 lengths. He played the rest of the race replay, which showed that once Miss Cameron had moved off the back of ROSIE RICHTER, her horse improved quickly over the concluding stages, eventually finishing in 3rd place, 1/2 a length from the winner. Mr Renault stated that had KING ARTHUR be given a clear run, the horse may have finished in a better position, maybe even winning the race.

Miss Cameron stated that KING ARTHUR was a funny horse to drive and when the speed went on in the race near the 700m, she was left a little flat footed. She added that when KING ARTHUR was driven on several occasions recently, he was driven back in the field, then driven around the field over the concluding stages, with very average results.

Decision:

The charge is admitted by the Respondent and is therefore deemed proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Renault produced the Respondent’s record, which indicated a clear record over the previous 12 months. Miss Cameron, he stated, has had 73 drives to date this season.

Mr Renault stated that the breach was high range, due to the fact that with an unimpeded run, KING ARTHUR may have finished in a better placing, or got up to win the race.

He said that recent penalties imposed for similar breaches, resulted in suspensions of 7 to 10 days. Mr Renault submitted that a 7 day suspension be considered as penalty in this case.

The Respondent made no submissions on penalty, apart from requesting a deferment of penalty, until after racing at Methven on 6 October 2024.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Penalty Guide provides a starting point of a 7-day suspension for a mid range initial breach of this Rule, within a 12-month period.

This Adjudicative Committee determined that the breach was high level and raised the starting point 1 day, to an 8 day suspension.

There were no aggravating factors to consider, therefore no uplift was warranted.

The Respondent was given credit for her good record and admission of the breach, resulting in a combined discount of 1 day.

After evaluating all of the factors, the Adjudicative Committee determined a 7-day suspension to be an appropriate penalty in the circumstances of this case.

Conclusion:

Miss Cameron’s application for a deferment until after racing at Methven on 6 October 2024, is granted.

The Respondent, Miss Cameron was suspended from the conclusion of racing on 6 October 2024, up to and including 25 October 2024. Relevant meetings encompassed in this period of suspension were 9 October –  Addington, 11 October – Addington, 13 October – Oamaru, 16 October – Addington, 18 October – Addington, 23 October – Addington and 25 October – Addington.