Auckland TR 25 January 2025 – R4 – Vinnie Colgan

Evidence:

This charge arises from the running of Race 4, the $1,000,000 TAB Karaka Millions (Listed Race).  Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging the Rider of VEGA FOR LUCK  (V Colgan), “permitted his mount to shift outwards near the 150 metres when not sufficiently clear of DAYLIGHT ROBBERY, which was dictated outwards crowding BELLE DU MONDE which was checked”.

Mr Colgan acknowledged 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, Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned; namely VEGA FOR LUCK (V Colgan), DAYLIGHT ROBBERY (W Kennedy) and BELLE DU MONDE (W Pinn).

Mr Jones told the Adjudicative Committee that in the home straight nearing the 150 metre mark, Mr Colgan struck his mount and then pushed it forward into the running line of DAYLIGHT ROBBERY, who was dictated wider on the track.  As a result, BELLE DU MONDE, who was trailing DAYLIGHT ROBBERY, was checked and lost ground.  Mr Jones added that during the shift, Mr Colgan was never the required distance clear of DAYLIGHT ROBBERY.

Mr Colgan agreed with the Stewards’ interpretation of the incident and by way of explanation, stated that BELLE DU MONDE could have avoided being checked had its Rider, Mr Pinn, taken a gap that was available to him between DAYLIGHT ROBBERY and ABBAKISS (S Weatherley). Mr Colgan added that the check received by BELLE DU MONDE, looked worse than it really was, because Mr Pinn “overplayed the check” when he stood up.

Decision:

As Mr Colgan admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Oatham submitted that Mr Colgan’s riding record is good, with him having had two previous breaches of the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months from 370 rides. He said that the previous breach occurred on 3 October 2024 and resulted in a 5 day suspension.  The other breach occurred on 17 February 2024 and is due to expire in a few weeks (17/02/25) in accordance with the 12 month reset period.

Mr Oatham assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low to mid-range.   He suggested the penalty should take account of the fact that the breach occurred in a Listed Race with a stake of $1 million and also recognition should be given for Mr Colgan’s good record and his admission of the breach.  Mr Oatham also noted that Mr Colgan’s mount finished in second place and submitted that a fine should be added to any proposed suspension.

Mr Oatham said that there were some mitigating factors in Mr Colgan’s favour.  Firstly, that his mount raced greenly and second, that Mr Pinn exaggerated the check.

Mr Colgan did not seek a deferment and had nothing further to add in relation to any proposed penalty.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race films, the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr Colgan’s carelessness to be in the low range and adopted a 5-day (suspension) as the starting point.

The available films clearly established that at about the 150 metres, Mr Colgan shifted out when not the required distance clear of DAYLIGHT ROBBERY.  As a consequence, Mr Pinn’s mount was checked.  There is some merit in Mr Colgan’s submission that Mr Pinn may have “overplayed the check,” but ultimately the check received by BELLE DU MONDE, was a direct result of Mr Colgan’s shift.  The shift was not abrupt or aggressive and, on that basis, the Adjudicative Committee assessed Mr Colgan’s carelessness to be in the low range.

From the 5-day starting point, a one-day reduction is applied for Mr Colgan’s admission of the breach and his good riding record. However, given that the breach occurred in a $1 million Black Type (Listed) Race, a two day uplift is added, resulting in an end point suspension of 6 days.

VEGA FOR LUCK finished second in the race and Mr Colgan’s share of the stake was $8,500.  Therefore, in addition to a suspension, a fine of $2,000 (approximately 25%) is imposed.

After considering the above factors, the Adjudicative Committee deemed a 6 day suspension and a $2,000 fine to be an appropriate penalty.

Conclusion:

Mr Colgan’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 days, commencing on 26 January 2025 and concluding after racing on 5 February 2025.