Matamata RC 4 October 2025 – R4 – Opie Bosson

Following the running of Race 4, THE RUSSELL AND YVONNE GREEN MEMORIAL, Stipendiary Steward Mr A Dooley, filed an Information alleging a breach of Rule 638(1)(d) by the Rider of DIAMOND JAK, Mr Opie Bosson, who had “permitted his mount to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear dictating DROP OF SOMETHING outwards onto WHAT A CHARMA which was checked near the 400 metres.”

Mr Bosson acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his 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, Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr Oatham, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned; namely DROP OF SOMETHING (Mr S McNab) and WHAT A CHARMER (Ms L Satherley).

Mr Oatham told the Adjudicative Committee that near the 400-metre mark, Mr Bosson began to shift his mount outwards. Whilst no contact was made with DROP OF SOMETHING, Mr McNab was forced to move out, resulting in Ms Satherley’s mount being checked. He noted that her mount was a little green and this may have had some effect on the actions of the three horses involved.

Mr Bosson said that he agreed with the Stewards’ interpretation of the incident and mentioned Ms Satherley’s horse being a little green.

Decision:

As Mr Bosson admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Dooley submitted that Mr Bosson has a clear record under the Rule since he had begun riding again on 3 August 2025. He assessed the level of carelessness to be low to mid-range. The Penalty Guide starting point for such a breach is 6 days suspension.

Mr Bosson took no issue with these submissions, noting that he had 90 rides during this time. He indicated his preference for any suspension to commence immediately.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race films, the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr Bosson’s carelessness to be in the low to mid-range and adopted a 6-day suspension as the starting point.

The available films clearly demonstrated the Steward’s interpretation.  The Adjudicative Committee was of the view that a one-day reduction from the starting point of 6 days be applied for Mr Bosson’s admission of the breach and his good riding record, noting he is a busy Rider.

Therefore, after considering the above factors, the Adjudicative Committee deemed a 5 day suspension appropriate in the circumstances.

Conclusion:

Accordingly, Mr Bosson’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 days, commencing after racing today, 4 October 2025, until and including 12 October 2025.