Ashburton TC 10 May 2026 – R1 – Seth Hill

ID: RIB66964

Respondent(s):
Seth William Hill - Junior Driver

Applicant:
Mr Nigel McIntyre - Chief Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Dave Anderson

Persons Present:
Mr Shane Renault - Stipendiary Steward, Senior Driver Mr Anthony Butt assisting Mr Hill, Mr McIntyre and Mr Hill.

Information Number:
A20987

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Racing inside the marker line

Rule(s):
869(7B) - Riding/driving infringement - Home Straight Regulations

Plea:
Admitted

Stewards Report

Results

Animal Name:
KOTARE RIMU

Code:
Harness

Race Date:
10/05/2026

Race Club:
Ashburton Trotting Club

Race Location:
Ashburton Racecourse - Racecourse Road, Ashburton, 7700

Race Number:
R1

Hearing Date:
10/05/2026

Hearing Location:
Ashburton Raceway

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Junior Driver Seth Hill is suspended for 3 days

EVIDENCE:

Following the running of the Race 1, Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Nigel McIntyre presented an Information alleging a breach of Rule 869(7B) by Junior Driver Mr Seth Hill.

Mr Hill stated he was conversant with the Rule, the Charge and confirmed he admitted the breach. Mr Hill was assisted by Mr Anthony Butt – Senior Driver.

Mr McIntrye played the video of the race and identified Mr Hill (KOTARE RIMU) racing in trail position approaching the passing lane. He showed at approximately the 300m, Mr Hill shift his horse inside of the marker line before the passing lane. Mr McIntrye said the manoeuvre resulted in KOTARE RIMU being relegated to 2nd placing, from 1st place.

Mr Hill and Mr Butt made no submissions.

DECISION:

The Respondent having admitted the breach, the charge was deemed to be proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr McIntyre stated Mr Hill has driven 95 drives this season and 253 the previous and his record is clear. He said Stewards would recommend a 3-day suspension as an appropriate penalty.

Mr Hill made no submissions on Penalty, but asked if he could defer penalty until after 17 May.

Mr Butt asked the Adjudicative Committee to consider Mr Hill’s status as a Junior Driver and that the breach involved a short margin of error.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Penalty Guidelines provide a 3-day suspension starting point for a breach of the Rule, when a relegation is involved.

The Adjudicative Committee can find no factors here to sway it from the Guidelines.

CONCLUSION:

Deferment is granted and Junior Driver Mr Seth Hill is suspended from the conclusion of racing on 17 May, up to and including racing on 29 May 2026.

Decision Date: 10/05/2026

Publish Date: 11/05/2026

Ashburton TC 10 May 2026 – R1 – Seth Hill

Related Decisions