Wellington Racing Club -17 January 2026 – R9 – M Hudson

ID: RIB62923

Respondent(s):
Mereana Karen Hudson - Jockey

Applicant:
Mr N Goodwin - Stipendiary Steward (Chair)

Adjudicators:
N Moffatt (Chair) and B Mainwaring

Persons Present:
Mr Neil Goodwin - Stipendiary Steward, Ms K Jillings - Stipendiary Steward, Ms M Hudson - Class A Rider

Information Number:
A17672

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Careless riding

Rule(s):
638(1)(d) - Riding/driving infringement - Careless riding

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
COMPLEX

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
17/01/2026

Race Club:
Wellington Racing Club

Race Location:
Trentham - 10 Racecourse Rd, Upper Hutt, 5018

Race Number:
R9

Hearing Date:
17/01/2026

Hearing Location:
Trentham racecourse

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Ms Hudson suspended 5 National Riding days

Evidence:

Following the running of race 9, the Respondent Ms M Hudson admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that she allowed her mount COMPLEX to shift outwards near the 50 metres checking AIRPARK HUSTLER.

The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Judicial Committee considers to be careless.

Using the available race films, Stipendiary Steward Ms K Jillings demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and riders involved. Approaching the 50-metre mark, Ms Hudson shifted outwards approximately two horse widths into the line of Mr Stackhouse (AIRPARK HUSTLER), who was required to check his mount.

Ms Hudson had nothing further to add.

Decision:

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

Submission for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Goodwin produced Ms Hudson’s riding record which indicated three  previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely:

13/12/25   6 days suspension

22/11/25  5 days suspension

16/11/25  5 days suspension

The Respondent has had 394 mounts in the past 12 months.

Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low – range.

Ms Hudson advised of riding engagements through until Monday 19th January, 2026.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined that Ms Hudson’s carelessness was at the low end. While she did shift outwards, the interference caused only minor hampering, and there was no evidence that AIRPARK HUSTLER would have finished any closer.

Low-end breaches have a starting point of a 5-day suspension. There were no aggravating factors warranting an uplift, and Ms Hudson’s record was treated as neutral.

After assessing all relevant factors, a 5-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion – Penalty:

Ms Hudson’s  licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 national riding days commencing after racing on 19/1/26 and concluding after racing on 30/1/26.

Decision Date: 17/01/2026

Publish Date: 19/01/2026