Waikato BOP H 28 August 2025 – R6 – Kate Coppins

SUMMARY OF FACTS:

Following the running of Race 6, BLOKES NITE SKYLINE LOUNGE, 18 SEPT MOBILE RACE, the Respondent Junior Driver Ms K Coppins, (GWENDOLINE MARY), admitted a breach of Rule 869(3)(b); namely that she drove carelessly at the 750m, allowing her horse to contact and puncture the sulky tyre of BAILEYS PITCH.

Ms Coppins endorsed the Information, ‘I do admit the breach of the rule’ and confirmed that she understood the Rule and the nature of the charge.

Rule 869(3) provides:

No driver in any race shall drive carelessly.

Ms Coppins was assisted by Senior Driver Mr T Mitchell.

EVIDENCE:

Using available video footage, Stipendiary Steward Mr C Lomey identified the horses involved in the incident namely GWENDOLINE MARY, driven by Ms K Coppins and BAILEYS PITCH, driven by Mr J Stormont.  Mr Lomey showed the Adjudicative Committee where the Stewards believed that Ms Coppins struck Mr Stormont’s wheel and identified Mr Stormont looking down towards the wheel at the time of contact.

In explanation, Ms Coppins said it was a steering issue, when trying to get off the back of BAILEYS PITCH. In response to a question from the Adjudicative Committee, Ms Coppins confirmed that she was attempting to pursue a run to the inside of BAILEYS PITCH at the time of contact.

DECISION:

The charge is admitted by the Respondent and is therefore deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS TO PENALTY:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Lomey said that the Guidelines prescribed a starting point of a $300 fine for a breach of this Rule and that Ms Coppins’ record was clear. He also added that Ms Coppins had admitted the breach and it was her first offence.

Senior Driver Mr T Mitchell stressed that Ms Coppins had admitted the charge and she may be given a reduction of penalty in recognition of her Junior Driver status and her clear record.  Ms Coppins had no comment on the penalty submissions.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The video evidence showed GWENDOLINE MARY hard on the back of BAILEYS PITCH, as the horses approached the 800m mark. As BAILEYS PITCH looked to shift up the track, GWENDOLINE MARY looked to secure a run to its inside. In attempting this manoeuvre, GWENDOLINE MARY contacted the sulky wheel of BAILEYS PITCH.

After taking into account the submissions of the Stipendiary Stewards, Ms Coppins and Mr Mitchell; noting the race film and the resultant impact on Mr Stormont’s drive (BAILEYS PITCH), the Adjudicative Committee determined that a fine of $250 was the appropriate penalty in this case.

Ms Coppins was given credit for her good record, her admission of the breach and her Junior Driver status.

CONCLUSION:

Ms Coppins is fined $250.