Auckland TR 12 December 2024 – R5 – Jasmine Fawcett

Evidence

Following the running of Race 5, Class A Rider Jasmine Fawcett, admitted a charge of careless riding in that she permitted her mount LA VOISIN to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of GOLD CARD (J Doyle) which struck a heel and blundered near the 300 metres.

At the commencement of the hearing, Ms Fawcett confirmed that she admitted the charge and that she understood the nature 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, Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham demonstrated the incident and identified the horses named in the Information, namely LA VOISIN and GOLD CARD.

Mr Oatham said that approaching the 300 metre mark, GOLD CARD, who was looking to improve into a marginal gap, was racing inside of LA VOISIN.  Ms Fawcett shifted her mount into the running line of GOLD CARD.  Using the films, Mr Oatham pointed out that LA VOISIN’S head was turned inwards. GOLD CARD struck a heel of LA VOISIN and blundered.  He said that Ms Fawcett tried to relieve the pressure, but it was too late.

In response, Ms Fawcett said that her mount was racing greenly round the final turn into the straight.  She said that she turned its head inwards and its exaggerated the shift, in that it shifted in more so than she had intended.  She said that she tried to correct her mount and that she was surprised that Mr Doyle was racing on her inside.

Decision

As the Respondent admitted the charge, the Adjudicative Committee finds it to be proved.

Submissions for Penalty

Mr Dooley produced Ms Fawcett’s riding record, which indicated 3 previous breaches of the Careless Riding Rule within the past 12 months, from 649 race rides over that period.  The most recent two breaches occurred on 5 November and 7 November 2024.

Mr Dooley said that Stewards categorised Ms Fawcett’s level of carelessness as being slightly below mid-range.

Ms Fawcett advised of riding engagements through until 21 December 2024 and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

Reasons for Penalty

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race films, the Adjudicative Committee identified that Ms Fawcett’s actual inward shift was low to mid-range.  However, when the consequences are factored in i.e. that Mr Doyle was almost dislodged from GOLD CARD, after clipping a heel, the breach was determined to be in the mid-range and a 7 day suspension was adopted as the starting point.

This is Ms Fawcett’s fourth breach in 12 months. During that period, she has had 649 race day mounts and is a busy National Rider. In consideration of her combined admission of the breach and record, Ms Fawcett is afforded a 1 day reduction from the starting point.

Therefore, after taking into account of all the factors, including Ms Fawcett’s culpability, her record and admission of the breach, the Adjudicative Committee imposed 6-day suspension.

Conclusion

Ms Fawcett’s request for a deferment is granted and her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 days, commencing after racing on 22 December 2024 and concluding after racing on 30 December 2024.

Note:

A 7 day suspension was originally imposed due to an anomaly with the assessment of Ms Fawsett’s riding record.  Post hearing this was corrected, resulting in her suspension being reduced by 1 day, from 7 to 6 days.