Auckland TR -18 January 2026 – R4- Sam McNab

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 4, the Respondent Apprentice Rider Mr S McNab, admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed per Rule 638(1)(d).

The Information filed by Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr A Dooley alleged that as the Rider of WIND SEEKER, Mr McNab permitted his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of DURRANI (W Kennedy), who was checked near the 50 metres.

Mr McNab was assisted at the hearing by his Employer, Trainer Mr Tony Pike. He acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach.

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

Using the available race films, Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr J Oatham demonstrated the incident and named the horses and Riders concerned.

Mr Oatham pointed to the top of the home straight, near the 300 metres,  where he showed that WIND SEEKER started to lay in. At the same time DURRANI shifted out, and both horses bumped lightly several times. Nearing the 50 metres Mr Oatham said WIND SEEKER shifted in again and that DURRANI was forced across the heels of MISS PARKER (S Collett) who shifted out slightly. As a result, Mr Oatham said that DURRANI was checked, and he suggested this interference this may have cost DURRANI a better finishing position, possibly as high as fourth place.

Mr Oatham said that Mr McNab did take belated corrective action, but he should have been more aware that his mount tended to lay in following the earlier incident near the top of the straight.

Mr McNab said that he agreed with the Stewards interpretation of the incident and added that he had to change his whip hand, from right to left hand, when Mr Kennedy shifted out near the top of the straight.

Mr Pike said that at the top of the straight it was competitive riding and Mr McNab could not use his whip in his right hand. He said that Ms Collett also contributed over the concluding stages due to her mount shifting outwards.

Decision:

As the Respondent, Mr McNab, admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Dooley said that Mr McNab has had 261 raceday rides so far in his relatively short riding career. He has two previous breaches of the Rule in the past 12 months. The first occurred at Waikato TR on 23 July 2025 and resulted in a 5-day suspension. The second occurred on 18 August 2025 at Ruakaka and resulted in a 5-day suspension.

Mr Dooley said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low to mid-range and suggested a 6-day suspension as the starting point with an allowance made for his admission of the breach.

Mr McNab sought a deferment to any proposed suspension, until after racing on 24 January 2026. He had nothing further to add concerning penalty.

Reasons for Penalty

After reviewing the evidence including the race films, the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr McNab’s level of carelessness was in the low to mid-range, leading to a starting point of a 6-day suspension.

The available footage showed that nearing the 50 metres, Mr McNab allowed his mount to shift inwards, when not the required distance clear of DURRANI which was well established inside of WIND SEEKER. Mr Kennedy had to take a strong hold of DURRANI to avoid the heels of MISS PARKER. DURRANI was finishing the race off strongly and but for being checked may have finished in a better placing. Although it was said that MISS PARKER contributed by shifting out, the actual shift by that horse was minimal.

During the race, it was observed that WIND SEEKER began to lay inwards from the top of the straight. At the same time, DURRANI shifted out slightly. Despite these movements from the other horses, the responsibility remained with Mr McNab to cease urging his mount forward and take corrective action to address the shift. He did correct his mount, but it was too late.

This is Mr McNab’s third breach of the Rule. He has had 140 rides since his earlier breach. Therefore, considering his record, combined with his admission of the breach, a one-day reduction is applied to the 6-day starting point.

Based on these factors, a 5-day suspension is imposed.

Conclusion:

Mr McNab’s request for a deferment is granted and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 national riding days, beginning after racing on 24 January 2025 and concluding after racing on 4 February 2026.