Waverley RC 28 September 2025 – R2 – Kelly Myers

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 2, the Respondent Ms K Myers admitted a charge of careless riding, which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that she allowed her mount DARK DELUXE to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear, crowding TURFQUAKE and IFFIGIVE, which was checked near the 800 metres.

Ms Myers confirmed her admission of the breach.

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 Ms Jillings, supported by Mr Goodwin, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders involved.

Just prior to the incident, Ms Myers was positioned three-wide, with Mr Riddell to her inside and Ms Hercock against the rail. Seeking to shift into the two-wide position, Ms Myers allowed her mount to roll inwards. This in turn placed pressure on Mr Riddell, who was forced inwards, resulting in Ms Hercock having to check her mount when the gap closed near the rail.

In explanation, Ms Myers said she felt the other two Riders should have anticipated the movement and adjusted accordingly. She stated that when Mr Riddell called to her, she thought he was going to the fence and that she was entitled to follow him in. She was unaware that Ms Hercock was positioned to the inside and behind Mr Riddell.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Ms Selvakumaran produced Ms Myers’ riding record, which showed two previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule within the past 12 months (13/11/24 and 9/4/25). Both were categorised as low-level breaches. In this period, Ms Myers has had  617 rides.

Ms Selvakumaran submitted that Stewards assessed this incident as low range. While Ms Hercock was entitled to her position on the fence, she was struggling to improve into a marginal gap and may have been better advised to steady and remain behind, rather than persist.

Ms Myers considered defending the charge, on the basis that both Mr Riddell and Ms Hercock had contributed to the situation by placing themselves poorly, but ultimately acknowledged that she had shifted in and, technically, was at fault. After consulting her manager, she advised that any suspension could commence immediately.

Reasons for Penalty:

After reviewing the submissions and race films, the Adjudicative Committee determined Ms Myers’ carelessness to be in the low range and adopted a 5-day suspension as the starting point, consistent with the NZTR Penalty Guide (February 2025). The films confirmed that Ms Myers shifted in, tightening Mr Riddell, which in turn closed the gap onto Ms Hercock. The incident involved limited consequence, with the check to Ms Hercock not materially affecting the overall running of the race.

In mitigation, Ms Myers has a very good riding record, given her 617 rides in the past 12 months, with only two prior low-level breaches. Her  admission of the breach was also taken into account. For these reasons, the starting point of 5 days was reduced by 1 day.

After consideration of the above factors, a 4-day suspension  was imposed.

Conclusion:

Ms Myers’ Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days, commencing after racing today and concluding after racing on Sunday October 5th, 2025.