Levin RC 30 November 2025 – R5 – Cody Cole

EVIDENCE:

Ms Selvakumaran presented to the Adjudicative Committee an Information charging Mr Cole, the Trainer of “RAREZA”, entered in Race 5, with a breach of Rule 534(1) in that he failed to scratch that horse by the required 7.30am deadline today.

Mr Cole did not admit the charge.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The facts were not in dispute.  “RAREZA” was entered in Race 5, the “LEVIN TRUCK SERVICES LEVIN STAKES”.  It had run the previous day at Ellerslie at 2.15pm.  It was not until 7.45am today that Mr Cole rang the Stipendiary Steward to scratch the horse.  The deadline was 7.30am.

Mr Cole initially said that he had tried to telephone whilst enroute from Matamata earlier that morning, but said he had lost telephone coverage.  When questioned, he agreed that he had known the previous day, at and after the Ellerslie race, that it had to be scratched but rather than doing this on that evening, he elected to defer it until the next morning.  He said he had been very busy, with Saturday runners at Ellerslie and Whanganui and forgot to act that evening.  The thrust of his defence claim was that it was unfair that those responsible for enforcing the Rule, ought to extend leniency and be aware of burdens that are placed on Trainers, Owners, and others in the “Industry”.

Mr Cole had ample opportunity to meet his obligations to scratch the horse anytime after 2.15pm the previous day.  That he overlooked, or forgot, to do so does not afford him a defence.

DECISION:

The charge is found proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Cole has a previous breach of this Rule on 21 January 2025, for which he was fined $350.  That was because another entrant was denied the opportunity of a start.  That was not the case here.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

But from a starting point of a fine of $200, an uplift of $50 is required.

CONCLUSION:

Accordingly, Mr Cole is fined $250.