Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 12 September 2026 – R7 – Masa Hashizume

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 7, the NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed), the Respondent, Class A Rider Masa Hashizume admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of SWORD OF STARS, “he allowed his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of NICCITA, which was checked near the 50 metres”. 

The Respondent 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, Senior Stipendiary Steward Mark Davidson, with the assistance of Stipendiary Steward, Veronica Fisher, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. Mrs Fisher pointed out Mr Hashizume, riding SWORD OF STARS racing mid track approaching the 50m with NICCITA, ridden by Hayley Hassman, racing to the inside of Mr Hashizume. The replays showed SWORD OF STARS shift ground inwards, when under a ride and not clear of NICCITA, who had to check. Mr Davidson stated that SWORD OF STARS was racing greenly during the running of the race, with Mr Hashizume straightening his mount on several occasions, however with this incident, Mr Hahizume had continued on riding with his mount shifting ground inwards, causing the check to NICCITA.

In response, the Respondent stated that his mount was racing greenly throughout the running. He said he corrected his mount on several occasions and had thought he was clear of NICCITA, who he said was weakening at the time, but clearly he had misjudged the situation.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson produced the Respondent’s riding record, which indicated 2 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely 6 December 2025 – Wellington (5 day suspension) and 2 January 2026 at Tauranga (5 day suspension).

He said that Mr Hashizume had ridden on 713 occasions over the past 12 months and his record could be considered good.

Mr Davidson said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low-range and submitted a starting point as per the Penalty Guide of a 5 day starting point.

He added that as this was a Listed Race with a total stake of $80,000, the Penalty Guide provided that for breaches in Listed Races, a starting point of a fine of 50% of the Rider’s fee be imposed, as additional penalty. Mr Davidson stated that Mr Hashizume’s mount finished in 3rd place, with 50% of his riding fee calculated at $180.

The Respondent advised of riding engagements through until 13 September 2026 at Te Rapa and as fields and Riders were declared, asked that any suspension commence immediately after that meeting.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent elected to make no submissions.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be in the low range and accordingly, adopted a 5-day suspension as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide.

The aggravating factor was the status of the the race being a Listed Race with a total stake of $80,000, warranting an uplift in penalty, which was set at 1 day.

The Respondent’s riding record is treated as an mitigating factor and in conjunction with his admission of the breach, a combined discount of 1 day was applied.

The starting point of 50% of a Rider’s fee was calculated at $180 in Mr Hashizume’s case, having run into 3rd placing. It was determined that in addition, a fine of $200, would be imposed.

After consideration of the above factors, a 5-day suspension and $200 fine was imposed.

Conclusion:

Mr Hashizume’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 National Days, commencing after racing on 13 September 2026, up to and including 25 September 2026. He was also fined the sum of $200.