Auckland TR 26 October 2024 – R6 – Darren Danis

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 6, Class A Rider Mr D Danis admitted a charge of Careless Riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of HOT SALSA he permitted his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of MAGICAL ROAD, which was forced into the line of GOD OF EROS, which clipped a heel and blundered passing the 1100 metres. 

Mr Danis acknowledged that he understood the Rule and confirmed his 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 Mr Dooley demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned, namely HOT SALSA (D Danis), MAGICAL ROAD (M Cartwright) and GOD OF EROS (D Mansour).

Mr Dooley said that as the field approached the 1100 metre mark in the back straight, HOT SALSA was racing in a 3-wide position near the back of the field.  MAGICAL ROAD was on its inside and GOD OF EROS was inside that horse on the rails.  Mr Danis allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of MAGICAL ROAD, who was forced on to GOD OF EROS, who was checked, clipped a heel and blundered.

In response Mr Danis said, “the films are clear, I made a mistake and the charge is admitted.”  He said that he did now know that GOD OF EROS was racing on the inside of MAGICAL ROAD and that he heard “no yelling” from either Rider.  He added that his view of GOD OF EROS, was obstructed by MAGICAL ROAD.

Decision:

As Mr Danis admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr B Jones advised that Mr Danis has breached the Careless Riding Rule once during the past 12 months.  During that period, he has had 139 race rides in New Zealand.  Mr Danis rode in Singapore for the latter part of the 2023/24 racing season.

Mr Jones said that Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be at least mid-range, which has a starting point penalty of a 7 day suspension.  He said the only mitigating factor is Mr Danis’ admission of the breach.

Mr Danis sought a deferment of any proposed suspension until after racing on 2 November 2024.  He offered no further submissions as to penalty.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr Danis’ carelessness to be in the mid-range and adopted a 7 day suspension as the starting point.

The race films clearly demonstrate that Mr Danis has shifted ground inwards, when not the required distance clear of MAGICAL ROAD.  The shift was not abrupt.  The resultant check to GOD OF EROS could have had serious consequences, had Rider Mr Mansour been dislodged when his mount blundered. Mr Danis submitted that he was not aware that GOD OF EROS was racing on the inside of MAGICAL ROAD, but this incident highlights the need for situational awareness.

The Respondent’s riding record and admission of the breach are treated as mitigating factors.  Accordingly, a 1-day reduction was applied to the 7 day starting point.

After consideration of all the above factors, a 6 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 6 days, commencing after racing on 2 November 2024 and concluding after racing on 10 November 2024.