Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 12 November 2025 – R4 – Donovan Cooper

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 4, the Respondent Class B Rider, Donovan Cooper, admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of CANTERBURY FLIGHT, “he allowed his mount to shift in dictating ALADDINS JEM, inwards into the line of COCOMORA, which was checked approaching the 1000m.”  

The Respondent 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 John Oatham, with the assistance of Stipendiary Steward, Veronica Fisher, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. Mrs Fisher pointed out Mr Cooper, riding CANTERBURY FLIGHT, racing 3 wide with ALADDINS JEM, ridden by Tina Comignaghi and COCOMORA, ridden by Samantha Collett, racing to the inside of Mr Cooper, approaching the 1000m. Mrs Fisher showed on the replays, Mr Cooper shift in onto ALADDINS JEM and dictate that horse inwards, when COCOMORA was  racing to the inside of that horse and as a result, COCOMORA had to steady and check. Mr Oatham stated that COCOMORA was over racing prior to the incident, but this did not contribute to the incident.

In response, Mr Laking stated that Mr Cooper was following ALADDINS JEM across, but did not realise that COCOMORA was on the inside of ALADDINS JEM and applied pressure.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham stated that Mr Cooper’s record in regard to this Rule showed 3 previous breaches being;

16 November 2024 – Riccarton – 10 day suspension (low to mid level)

5 February 2025 – Riccarton – 5 days (low range)

16 April 2025 – Ashburton – 7 day suspension with poor record

Mr Oatham said Mr Cooper’s statistics provided 385 rides over the previous 12 months. Stewards, he said, 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 starting point.

The Respondent advised of riding engagements through until 15 November 2025 at Riccarton and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

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. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide.

Mr Cooper’s record showed 3 previous breaches over the prior 12 months, with the last offence on 16 April this year. The Adjudicative Committee determined that as it was 7 months since Mr Cooper’s last breach, his record would be treated as a neutral factor.

It was deemed that there were no aggravating factors to consider, therefore no uplift in penalty was warranted.

Mr Cooper’s frank admission of the breach warrants a discount, which was set at 1 day.

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

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted until after racing on 15 November 2025 at Riccarton and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 national days, commencing after racing on 15 November 2025 and concluding after racing on 23 November 2025.