Auckland TR 28 October 2026 – R6 – Tom Wigram

INTRODUCTION:

Following the running of Race 6, Apprentice Rider Mr Tom Wigram, admitted a charge of careless riding filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).

The Information alleged that, as the Rider of BOOMSTRUCK, Mr Wigram permitted his mount to shift inwards when insufficiently clear of BOURBON TIME (M Cartwright), which was dictated inwards into the line of SURPRIZE PACKAGE (H Hassman), which had to be checked at the 1000 metres.

Mr Wigram acknowledged that he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach. He was supported at the hearing by his employer, Trainer Ms D Logan and Mr N Harris.

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, Stipendiary Steward Ms V Fisher demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. Ms Fisher said that BOOMSTRUCK ridden by Mr Wigram, shifted inwards from its outside draw at the 1200 start.  In doing so, approaching the 1000 metres Mr Wigram continued to ride forward shifting across when insufficiently clear of BOURBON TIME, which was dictated inwards into the line of SURPRIZE PACKAGE, which consequently had to be checked.

Mr Wigram said that the horse was erratic and contributed to the incident.

Mr Harris and Ms Logan confirmed that the horse can be erratic, and Mr Wigram had erred in the angle he took coming across and heading into the bend, which took the line of BOURBON TIME.

DECISION:

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

PENALTY SUBMISSIONS:

Stipendiary Steward Ms Fisher advised that Mr Wigram is busy Apprentice Rider, with 208 rides in the past 12 months.

This is only his second breach of the Rule, the first being a low end charge in July 2026.

Ms Fisher said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range. She said the shift was the result of an error of judgement on Mr Wigram’s part. The Stewards recommended a starting point of a 5 day suspension as provided for in the NZTR Penalty Guide, but an allowance could be made for the mitigating circumstances of his good record and admission of the breach.

Mr Wigram sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing on 3 November 2026. Mr Harris and Ms Logan asked the Adjudicative Committee to take account of Mr Wigram’s good record, the fact that he is a busy Rider, he admitted the charge and the horse can be erratic, which contributed to the difficulties he had.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

After considering the submissions and reviewing the available race films, the Adjudicative Committee determined that Mr Wigram’s level of carelessness was in the low range, leading to a starting point of a 5-day suspension.

The footage showed that approaching the 1000 metre point, Mr Wigram rode his mount forward and across from its wide draw.  As he angled across BOURBON TIME, he was not the required distance clear of that horse, who was dictated into the line of SURPRIZE PACKAGE, which had to be checked passing the 1000 metres.

Having regard to Mr Wigram’s good record, the low-level nature of the breach, the fact that BOOMSTRUCK was a difficult ride and contributed to the incident and his admission at the first opportunity, a two-day reduction is applied to the 5-day starting point.

After considering all the above factors, a 3-day suspension is imposed.

CONCLUSION:

Mr Wigram’s request for a deferment was granted. His Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 3 days, commencing after racing on 3 November 2026, up to and including racing on 7 November (3 national riding days).