R Te Aroha 12 February 2025 – R3 – Pam Gerard

Evidence

Following the running of Race 3, Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr B Jones filed an Information pursuant to Rule 625(1) alleging that Trainer Ms Gerard “presented IN HARMONY late into the birdcage”.

Rule 625(1) provides:

(1) A horse shall be in the birdcage not later than the time fixed by the Stipendiary Stewards (being the time specified in the Club’s race book or as otherwise specified by NZTR).

Mr Jones advised that a breach of this nature would normally be dealt with by way of a Minor Infringement Notice (MIN), but due to the circumstances of the breach, Stewards elected to file an Information.

The race card stated that horses must be in the parade ring (the birdcage) by 2.57 pm prior to the start of Race 3 and must leave the parade ring by 3.04 pm and the race was due to start at 3.12 pm.

Mr Jones advised that due to an incident in Race 2, horses were called into the birdcage later than the time posted in the race card and there was some urgency getting the field to the 1150 barrier start by the required times. He added that, whereas Trainers were given some leeway to arrive at the start slightly late, IN HARMONY arrived two and a half minutes late and the race start was delayed by six and a half minutes.

In response, Ms Gerard said that she freely admitted the breach, and by way of explanation, said that she had a horse in the previous race (Race 2) that had become quite fractious and required her attention.  As a result, she tasked a Stablehand to uplift the saddle for IN HARMONY, which he had trouble locating.  She said that the delay in saddling, contributed to IN HARMONY being late into the birdcage.

Decision

The charge is admitted and therefore is proved.

Submissions for Penalty

Mr Jones submitted that Ms Gerard had a previous breach of this Rule, which occurred on 1 January 2025. He suggested that a fine in the range of $150 to $200, would be an appropriate penalty. Furthermore, Mr Jones highlighted that Trainers have an obligation to ensure time limits are adhered to, so that races can start on time.

Reasons for Penalty

The MIN Penalty Guide stipulates a $100 fine for a second breach of this Rule. However, on this occasion, the Stewards filed an Information and sought an uplift, due to the significant delay to the start of the race, caused by IN HARMONY’s late arrival at the birdcage and the barrier.

After considering the evidence, and particularly the submissions from Mr Jones and Ms Gerard, a fine of $150 was deemed appropriate. This decision takes into account the delay to the race start, as well as Ms Gerard’s explanation and her admission of the breach.

Conclusion

Trainer Ms Gerard is fined $150.