Roxburgh TC – 4 Jan 26 – R1 – J Buckland-Stevens
ID: RIB62539
Animal Name:
WATERHOLES ROAD
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
04/01/2026
Race Club:
Roxborough Trotting Club
Race Location:
Roxburgh Raceway - , ,
Race Number:
R1
Hearing Date:
04/01/2026
Hearing Location:
Roxburgh
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Amateur Driver Buckland-Stevens suspended for six weeks.
Mr McIntyre alleged that Ms Buckland-Stevens drove carelessly in race 1 in that she allowed her horse WATERHOLES ROAD to strike a wheel passing the 550 metres and her horse broke as a consequence.
Mr McIntyre demonstrated on the videos that Ms Buckland-Stevens was racing 4 back on the inside and, as she attempted to improve to the outside of SEARING LIGHT, she struck a wheel. WATERHOLES ROAD broke and lost ground as a consequence.
Ms Buckland-Stevens acknowledged there had been contact and commented she had been squeezed at the start. This appeared to upset the horse and, while she thought she had allowed enough room, she had made a misjudgement.
Decision
As Ms Buckland-Stevens has admitted the breach, it is found to be proved.
Submissions as to penalty
Mr Munro produced the Respondent’s record which showed that Ms Buckland-Stevens had no breaches of this Rule in the past 12 months.
Reasons for penalty
Ms Buckland-Stevens when shifting ground outwards has allowed her horse to strike a wheel. The Penalty Guide provides a $300 fine for a first breach of this Rule with the consequences of the action going to penalty. A tyre on SEARING LIGHT’s cart deflated but did not come off the rim and WATERHOLES ROAD galloped out of the race. A suspension is the appropriate penalty for an Amateur Driver. Suspensions for Amateur Drivers are calculated on the basis on two drives/month.
Decision as to penalty
Ms Buckland-Stevens is suspended for 6 weeks from the end of racing today up to and including 14 February 2026.
Decision Date: 04/01/2026
Publish Date: 09/01/2026