Canterbury Jockey Club -11 September 2025-Race 5-Kendra Bakker

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 5, the Respondent Class B Rider Kendra Bakker, admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of EIGHT PENCE “she permitted  her mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of MR PACQUIAO, then restraining her mount resulting in the runner being checked near the 1200 metres”. 

The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach.

Miss Bakker was assisted at the hearing by NZTR Apprentice Mentor, Jason Laking.

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, Stipendiary Steward Veronica Fisher, with the assistance of Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. Mr Oatham pointed out Miss Bakker, riding EIGHT PENCE racing 2 wide approaching the 1200m with MR PACQUIAO, ridden by Donovan Cooper, racing to the inside of Miss Bakker. The replays showed Miss Bakker shift in in front of Mr Cooper when not clear, and as a result Mr Cooper had to ease. Mr Oatham showed on the replays, that shortly after crossing into the racing line of Mr Cooper, Miss Bakker took a strong hold and restrained her mount, and as result of that Mr Cooper was placed in restricted room and had to check.

In response, Miss Bakker, with the assistance of Jason Laking, concurred that she had shaved Mr Cooper with the first incident and admitted that her actions in restraining her mount, with the second part of the incident, was an error of judgement.

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submission for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mrs Fisher produced the Respondent’s riding record which indicated 1 previous breach under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely at Ashburton on 3 July 2025 where Miss Bakker received a 7 day suspension for a low level offence. The Committee on the day, she stated, imposed a 7 day penalty to ensure a minimum of 1 South Island day was included in the period of suspension.

Stipendiary Steward Mrs Fisher said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low to mid-range and submitted a starting point as per the Penalty Guide of a 6 day suspension. She added that Miss Bakker had 93 rides over the prior 12 months and had resumed riding in June after an injury break.

The Respondent advised of riding engagements through until 13 September 2025 at Riccarton where riders were already declared.

In terms of any proposed penalty the Respondent elected to make no submissions.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be in the low to mid-range and accordingly adopted a 6-day suspension as the starting point.

The Respondent’s riding record is treated as a neutral factor. In mitigation Miss Bakker’s frank admission of the breach warrants a discount which the Committee set at 1 day.

After consideration of the above factors a 5-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion – Penalty:

Miss Bakker’s licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 national days commencing after racing on 13 September  2025 at Riccarton and concluding after racing on 24 September 2025.