Woodville-Pahiatua RC 16 August 2026 – R5 – Billy Marshall

SUMMARY:

Following the running of the Restricted Open Steeplechase, the “DAVID OLIVER MEMORIAL”, Ms Selvakumaran presented an Information charging Mr Marshall with careless riding, in breach of Rule 638(1)(d), in that “he allowed his mount ODYSSEUS to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear (so as to cause crowding to PRINCE TURBO and LEITRIM LAD and HEY HEY HEY upon exiting the straight on the 2nd occasion”).

Mr Marshall did not admit the breach.  Accordingly, the matter was heard on a defended basis on raceday.

EVIDENCE:

The Adjudicative Committee received evidence from Mr Oatham as to his observations and interpretation of the race films, the Riders of HEY HEY HEY (Mr J Parker), PRINCE TURBO (Mr K Wiles) and LEITRIM LAD (Mr N Downs).  It also had the benefit of its observations of the relevant race films.  Mr Marshall gave evidence, as well as making submissions.

The race films depicted, and Mr Oatham confirmed, that after the field passed the winning post with a circuit to travel and approached the bend out of the straight, there were 5 horses wide apart with ODYSSEUS about 6 to 7 horse widths out from the rail.  On its outside was SWEET TABOO (ridden by Mr Roustoby).  On its inside, but a clear distance apart, were PRINCE TURBO, LEITRIM LAD and HEY HEY HEY.  Each of those 3 horses were dictated inwards with checks occurring.  The evidence was that at least 2 of the Riders of those horses shouted out to alleviate the pressure coming from the outside, which was from ODYSSEUS (Mr Marshall).  The checks occasioned to the inside horses, was because of pressure being applied to the 3 inside horses.

Mr Marshall’s evidence was, essentially, that he was not at fault as there was pressure put on his mount by inward movement from SWEET TABOO (M Roustoby) on his outside and did not hold its line, and, secondly that PRINCE TURBO was always behind him, so no pressure could have affected it.

DECISION:

The charge was found to be proved.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Adjudicative Committee was satisfied by a wide margin that:

(a)  The horse furthest out, SWEET TABOO (M Roustoby) maintained its proper line.  It had no part to play in the events that occurred, which were to its inside.

(b)  The actions of Mr Wiles on PRINCE TURBO had nothing to do with the checks occurring to the 2 inside horses (LEITRUM LAD and HEY HEY HEY), as his line was being dictated to by ODYSSEUS and, as he said, “I was trying to stay out of and away from the 2 horses inside.”

(c)  The chain reaction of pressure resulting in the checks, came solely from that instigated by ODYSSEUS on the outside of the 3 horses inside, not being the required distance clear.

Although Mr Marshall told the Adjudicative Committee that it was “not solely my fault” as “one other horse came in” and one “came across”, the Adjudicative Committee cannot agree.  The simple fact is that “ODYSSEUS continued to shift inwards, when not dictated to” and being insufficiently clear, this was careless of Mr Marshall.

The charge was found to be established.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Marshall has a very good record, with having no previous careless riding breaches in 52 rides.  The breach was said by the Informant to be in the “low to mid range”.  Mr Marshall submitted that what occurred was “not intentional”, which is accepted as “careless” often, and usually, it is simply failing to take proper care and attention to a Rider’s duties, and of course that is less than the care required of a Rider.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

Because of Mr Marshall’s good record and the breach being in the low to mid range, a suspension of only 1 jumps day is necessary.

CONCLUSION:

Mr Marshall is suspended from the end of racing today, 16 August 2026, until the end of racing on 23 August 20236.  That is for the day at Hawera, but thereafter he is free to ride at Te Aroha on 30 August 2026.