NZ Metro TC 31 January 2025 – R8 – Lawrence McCormick

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 8, SBSR – Beaudiene Breeding Handicap Trot, Licensed Open Driver, Lawrence McCormick, admitted a charge that, as the Driver of VERTIGO in the race, he drove carelessly in “shifting outwards and contacting the sulky wheel of CORMORAN STRIKE (Tim Williams) which punctured near the 1000 metres”.

Rule 869 provides as follows:

(3)  No driver in any race shall drive:-

     (b)  carelessly

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Shane Renault, had Stipendiary Steward, Matt Sole, show a video replay of the incident with approximately 1000 metres to run. Mr Sole pointed out VERTIGO, driven by Mr McCormick, racing four places back on the markers, following CORMORAN STRIKE, driven by Tim Williams. Racing to the outside of VERTIGO was ALMIGHTY (Kimberley Butt).

Mr Sole showed that VERTIGO had an advantage over that runner and was able to push it out. However, in doing so, Mr McCormick had not cleared the wheel of CORMORAN STRIKE, and the near front leg of his runner struck the outside sulky wheel of CORMORAN STRIKE, the tyre of which immediately punctured, Mr Sole said. He pointed out, on the video replay, that Mr Williams had looked down when contact was made, just inside the 1000 metres.

Mr McCormick said that he had got the timing of his outwards shift “slightly wrong.”

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted and is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Renault said that Mr McCormick has had 6 drives this season and, in the 2024 season, had 38 drives. He has a clear record under the Careless Driving Rule. He referred to the Penalty Guide, which suggests a starting point for penalty of a $300 fine. Mr McCormick had asked if a suspension could be considered, in which case Mr Renault submitted, a 2-days suspension would be an appropriate penalty.

Mr McCormick confirmed that he would prefer a suspension to a fine, if possible.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) suggests a starting point for careless driving striking a wheel of a $300 fine, “the consequences of this action go to penalty”. The consequences, in this case, are difficult to assess as, the Adjudicative Committee noted, CORMORAN STRIKE finished in 3rd placing.

The Adjudicative Committee is prepared to deal with penalty by imposing a suspension and a 2-days suspension fits the breach.

CONCLUSION:

Licensed Open Driver, Lawrence McCormick, is suspended from after the close of racing on 31 January 2025, up to and including 7 February – 2 days. The meetings intended to be encompassed by the period of suspension are Amberley TC on 6 February next and NZ Metropolitan TC on 7 February.

It is recorded that Drivers for the meeting of Waikouaiti TC on 2 February have been notified.