Waikato RC 6 November 2021 – R 5 – Taiki Yanagida

Evidence:

This charge arises from the running of Race 5, the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint.  Apprentice Rider Mr T Yanagida admitted a charge pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging that as the Rider of “RUN TO PERFECTION (T Yanagida), he allowed his mount to shift out prior to the 100 metres crowding and checking SHOWOROSES (L Satherley) and SHORT FUSE (T Thornton).

Mr Yanagida acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach. He was assisted and supported at the hearing by Mr N Harris (Rider Mentor).

Rule 638(1) (d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Judicial Committee considers to be careless.

Using the available race films Stipendiary Steward, Mr Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Mr Jones told the Committee that approaching the 200 metre mark the Respondent was searching for a run and commenced to angle his mount outwards whilst still riding forward.  He said that as a result of the continued outward shift both SHOWOROSES and SHORT FUSE were checked and crowed near the 100-metre mark.  The side on race film showed that when Mr Yanagida shifted out his mount was no more than ¾ to 1 length clear.

In response, the Respondent stated that he as he was about to shift out the race winner (RAPOSA RAPIDA) also shifted and he tried to correct his mount but it was too late.

Mr Harris said that the breach occurred because Mr Yanagida misjudged his outward shift.

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).

Submission for Penalty:

Mr Jones produced the Respondent’s riding record which indicated 6 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months. The most recent having occurred on 2 October 2021 and the first in the series was on 28 November 2020. He described Mr Yanagida as now having record as poor.

Mr Jones said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the mid-range.  He also identified the fact that the breach occurred in a Listed Race.

The Respondent sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing on 13 November 2021. He offered no submissions as to penalty.

On his behalf Mr Harris submitted that although Mr Yanagida has a poor record, he is otherwise a model Apprentice who is riding well at the present time.  He said on this occasion he simply misjudged the situation.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions  the Adjudicator determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be in the mid-range and adopted a 7-day (suspension) as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 1 September 2021).

The available films clearly established that the Respondent allowed his mount to shift out when no more than 1 length of the two horses named in the Information. Both horses were crowded and checked to varying degrees.

The Respondent has a poor riding record for which a 1-day (suspension) uplift was applied.  This was negated after a 1-day reduction was applied for his admission of the breach.

As this breach occurred in a Listed Race a fine of $200 was applied.  This amount takes into account the Respondent is an Apprentice Rider and the NZTR Directive suggestion that a concession may be applied with respect to fines imposed on Apprentice Riders.

After consideration of the above factors a 7-day suspension and $200 fine was imposed.

Conclusion – Penalty:

The Committee granted the Respondent a deferment to his suspension pursuant to Rule 1106(2). The Respondent, Mr Yanagida’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 7 days commencing after racing on 13 November 2021 and concluding after racing on 25 November 2021. In addition, a fine of $200 is imposed.