NZ Metro TC 30 January 2026 – R7 – Gemma Thornley

Following the running of Race 7, Check Out Woodland Stud’s 2026 Yearling Draft Mobile Pace, Junior Driver, Gemma Thornley, admitted a charge that, as the Driver of SONG SUNG BLUE in the race, “she allowed her horse’s sulky wheel to protrude inside the marker line in the run home”.

Ms Thornley, a Junior Driver, waived the right to be assisted at the hearing by a Senior Driver.

Rule 869 provides as follows:

(7B) Where any horse or its sulky wheel moves inside the track marker line and gains an advantage the horse shall be disqualified from that race or relegated to behind any horse in respect of which an advantage may have been gained except where it is established that the breach was caused by interference by another horse or driver.

EVIDENCE:

The parties agreed that the evidence adduced at the earlier protest hearing be adopted as evidence in support of the charge.

SONG SUNG BLUE finished in 4th placing, but was disqualified following the protest hearing.

Ms Thornley did not wish to add to anything that had been said by her, or on her behalf, at the earlier protest hearing.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Renault said that Ms Thornley has a clear record as far as breaches of the Rule are concerned. She has had 36 drives to date in the current season and, in the 2025 season, she had 309 drives.

He referred to the Penalty Guide starting point for penalty for a breach of the Rule – a 3-days suspension. This would be an appropriate penalty for this breach in the Stewards’ submission, Mr Renault said. Ms Thornley had drives at the meeting of Waikouaiti Harness meeting on 1 February, Mr Renault added, and wishes any term of suspension to commence immediately after that meeting.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) provides a starting point for penalty for “sulky wheel protruding inside marker line – causing a disqualification or relegation” of a 3-days suspension.

Ms Thornley has admitted a breach of the Rule, and her horse, SONG SUNG BLUE, was disqualified following an earlier protest hearing. The breach was clear.

There are no relevant aggravating or mitigating factors to warrant a departure from the Penalty Guide starting point.

CONCLUSION:

Junior Driver, Gemma Thornley, is suspended from after the conclusion of racing on 1 February 2026, up to and including 8 February 2026 – 3 days.