Waikato BOP H 16 October 2025 – R2 – Andrew Sharpe

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 2, the Respondent Andrew Sharpe admitted a breach of Rule 869(3)(b); namely that he drove carelessly passing the 1900 allowing his drive to shift inwards, hampering another runner, which resulted in MURTLE THE TURTLE contacting the sulky of VINCENTS GIRL (Driver K Hall).

The Respondent endorsed the Information and confirmed he understood the Rule and the nature of the charge.

Rule 869(3)(b) provides:

No driver in any race shall drive:

(b) carelessly; (Allowing runner to improve onto a wheel.  Shifting ground.  Easing the pace)

Using available video footage, Stipendiary Steward Paul Williams identified the horses involved in the incident namely, AQUILA driven by Andrew Sharpe, MURTLE THE TURTLE driven by James Brownlee and VINCENTS GIRL driven by Kevin Hall.   He said that Andrew Sharpe, when passing the 1900, allowed his drive to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of VINCENTS GIRL (Mr Hall), who subsequently was forced in and across Mr Brownlee’s horse MURTLE THE TURTLE, who then struck the wheel of VINCENTS GIRL (Mr Hall).

Mr Sharpe said that Mr Hall’s horse had also laid in, contributing to the incident.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Paul Williams produced the Respondent’s record, which indicated one previous breach of this Rule on 2 October 2025.

Mr Paul Williams added that Mr Sharpe had 14 drives this season and 23 last season and the Stewards assessed the breach in the low range, which had a starting point of a three-day suspension.   They did not seek any uplift and saw no reason to deviate from the Guidelines.

Being an Amateur Driver, the calculation is two driving days per month.  Therefore, a three-day suspension would be six weeks.

The Respondent submitted he had a committed drive for Thursday 23 October 2025 and sought a deferment of penalty until Friday 24 October 2025.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Penalty Guide provides a penalty starting point of:

• 3 days suspension

After considering the submissions of both the Applicant and Respondent; noting the race film and the resultant impact on the affected runner(s), the Adjudicative Committee assessed the breach as a low-end and adopted a three-day suspension as the starting point.

After evaluating all the factors, the Adjudicative Committee determined a three-day suspension to be an appropriate penalty in the circumstances of this case and approved the deferment request, so the penalty would commence on Friday 24 October.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s Licence is therefore suspended, commencing on Friday 24 October 2025 and concludes after racing on Thursday 4 December 2025. (inclusive).