Methven TC 30 November 2025 – R9 – Riley Harrison

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 9, the Respondent Junior Driver, Riley Harrison admitted a breach of Rule 869(7A)(c); namely that “when driving SHE’S TOUGH, she shifted inwards racing into the first bend placing MISTY BLUE in restricted room, with MISTY BLUE contacting and racing inside several track makers.”

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

Miss Harrison was assisted at the hearing by Open Driver John Dunn.

Rule 869(7A)(c) provides:

(7A) Every driver who moves inwards shall ensure:
(c) that the movement does not cause any other driver, horse or sulky to contact any track marker or protrude inside the marker line.

Using available video footage, Stipendiary Steward Matt Sole, with the assistance  of Stipendiary Steward Shane Renault, identified the horses involved in the incident namely, ESMERALDA, driven by Mr O’Reilly, racing 3 off the pylons with SHE’S TOUGH, driven by Riley Harrison racing 2 wide with MISTY BLUE, driven by Sheree Tomlinson, racing on the pylons as they were rounding the first bend. Mr Renault pointed out Miss Harrison, shift inwards and put  MISTY BLUE in restricted room and as a result, MISTY BLUE struck and went inside several pylons.

Miss Harrison stated that she believed that she had received pressure from Mr O’Reilly, which caused her to shift inwards onto MISTY BLUE, but conceded that this happened after her initial movement, which resulted in MISTY BLUE being forced over the pylons.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Sole produced the Respondent’s record, which indicated a clear record.  The Respondent, he said, has had 167 drives last season, with 199 drives so far this season.

Mr Sole stated that the Penalty Guide provided a $300 fine as starting point for an initial breach of this Rule and submitted that mitigating factors of Miss Harrison’s status as a Junior Driver, her admission of the breach and her good record, be taken into consideration.

Miss Harrison elected to make no submissions in regard to penalty.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Penalty Guide provides a starting point of a $300 fine for an initial breach of this Rule. There were no aggravating factors to consider, therefore no uplift was warranted.

The Respondent was given credit for her good record, admission of the breach and her status as a Junior Driver, resulting in a $100 combined discount.

After evaluating all of the factors, the Adjudicative Committee determined a $200 fine to be an appropriate penalty.

Conclusion:

Miss Harrison is fined the sum of $200.