NZ Metro TC 21 November 2025 – R5 – Seth Hill

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 5, the Group 3 ‘Betavet’ Millwood Nike Fillies Classic Mobile Pace, the Respondent Junior Driver, Seth Hill admitted a breach of Rule 869(3)(b); namely “that when driving CATH he drove carelessly early in the run home by allowing his horse to strike the wheel of THE QUEENS GAMBIT, resulting in the tyre being punctured.”

The Respondent endorsed the Information ‘I do admit the breach of the Rule’ and confirmed that he understood the Rule and the nature of the charge.

Mr Hill was assisted at the hearing by Open Driver Gerard O’Reilly.

Rule 869(3)(b) provides:

No driver in any race shall drive carelessly.

Using available video footage, Chief Stipendiary Steward Nigel McIntyre, with the assistance  of Stipendiary Steward Shane Renault, identified the horses involved in the incident namely, CATH driven by Seth Hill, racing on the pylons and in the trail of THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT, driven by Kimberly Butt, who was in the lead, as the field turned for home. Mr Renault demonstrated on the replays that as CATH gained access to the passing lane, Mr Hill angled his drive inwards and in doing so, the horse struck the near sulky wheel of THE QUEENS GAMBIT, which was punctured. Mr McIntyre stated that Miss Butt had reported that there were no consequences to her drive, as she was a tiring runner at that point in the race.

Mr Hill stated that he was full of running, just prior to the passing lane and when he went to access the lane, he misjudged his movement.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr McIntyre produced the Respondent’s record, which indicated a prior breach at Addington on 22 August 2025, where he received a 3 day suspension for striking a wheel.  The Respondent has had 221 drives so far this season, he said.

He stated that the Penalty Guide provided a starting point of a 5 day suspension, when in a Group or Listed Race.

Mr McIntyre stated there were no aggravating factors, as there were no consequences to THE QUEENS GAMBIT, as it was a tiring runner.

Mr Hill made no submissions in regard to penalty, apart from requesting a deferment of penalty until after racing at Methven on 30 November.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Penalty Guide provides a starting point of a 5 day suspension for a second breach of this Rule, in a Group or Listed Race. There were no aggravating factors, therefore no uplift in penalty was warranted.

After evaluating all of the factors, the Adjudicative Committee determined a 5 day suspension to be an appropriate penalty in the circumstances of this case.

Conclusion:

Mr Hill’s application for a deferment until after racing on 30 November 2025 at Methven is granted.

The Respondent, Mr Hill is suspended commencing after racing 30 November 2025, up to and including 10 December 2025.

Relevant meeting encompassed in this period are Timaru – 3 December, Addington – 5 December, Geraldine – 6 December, Forbury Park – 7 December and Oamaru – 10 December 2025.