Auckland TR 31 January 2026 – R3 – George Rooke

Evidence

This charge arises from the running of Race 3, the Trelawney Stud 1100. Deputy Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging the Rider of HIGH EMOTION (G Rooke), permitted his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of GLACIAL STORM (V Colgan) which was checked near the 250 metres.

Initially Mr Rooke indicated on the Information that he denied the breach.  However, at the commencement of the hearing, he changed his plea and admitted the breach.  He also confirmed that he understood the nature of the charge.

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

Evidence

Using the available race films, Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Dooley demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders involved.

Mr Dooley said that HIGH EMOTION was running wide on the track approaching the 250 metres.  He said that Mr Rooke shifted his mount in one horse-width, into the running line GLACIAL STORM (V Colgan).  Mr Colgan had to check his mount to avoid the heels of HIGH EMOTION.

Mr Rooke said that he agreed with the Stewards’ interpretation of the incident.  He said that his mount’s racing manners were a factor and that he immediately corrected his mount.

Decision

The charge is admitted and is therefore proven.

Submissions for Penalty

Mr Jones advised that Mr Rooke has previously breached the Careless Riding Rule 8 times during the past 12 months, from 519 raceday rides. He has recently returned from a suspension and has been referred to the Rider Skills Panel for guidance.  Mr Jones said that this being Mr Rooke’s ninth breach, his record is a poor.

Mr Jones said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness on this occasion to be in the low range. He submitted that any proposed suspension should include an uplift, due to Mr Rooke’s poor record.

Mr Rooke sought to defer any proposed suspension until after racing on 7 February 2026.  He advised that he is currently being assisted by the Rider Skills Panel and is also seeking other professional assistance.

Reasons for Penalty

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race film, the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr Rooke’s carelessness to be in the low range and adopted a 5-day starting point.

The available films established that Mr Rooke shifted in only one-horse width. The shift was assessed as being a mistake on the part of Mr Rooke and after checking Mr Colgan’s mount, he took immediate corrective action.

In reaching a decision on the appropriate penalty, the Adjudicative Committee took into account Mr Rooke’s admission of the breach. The Adjudicative Committee recognised this admission as a mitigating factor, and as such, applied a reduction of one day to the starting point penalty. This adjustment was made due to Mr Rooke’s acceptance of responsibility for his actions on this occasion, as he demonstrated genuine remorse.  It also recognises his current engagement with the Rider Skills Panel and the other professional assistance that he is now receiving.

His poor record however, is problematic and an aggravating factor, requiring an uplift.  Therefore, a 3-day uplift is applied, resulting in a 7-day suspension being imposed.

Conclusion

The Adjudicative Committee granted Mr Rooke a deferment to his suspension and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 7 days, beginning after racing on 7 February 2026 and concluding after racing on 20 February 2026.