Auckland RC 19 February 2022 – R2 – Opie Bosson

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 2, the Respondent Class A Rider Mr Bosson admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of QUATTRO QUINTA permitted his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of QUICKEN AWAY (A Calder) which was crowded and forced on to DOUBTFUL SOUND (J Riddell) that was checked passing the 800 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, specifically the hill tower, turn and back straight cameras, Stipendiary Steward Mrs SELVAKUMARAN demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

She said that approaching the 800 metre mark the Respondent’s mount, QUATTRO QUINTA,  who was racing in a three-wide position has shifted ground inwards, into a two-off position.  This resulted in crowding to QUICKEN AWAY who was racing on its inside.

Mrs SELVAKUMARAN said that QUICKEN AWAY who was over racing at the time was pushed in onto DOUBTFUL SOUND who was checked and brushed the running rail and lost approximately a length.

In response, the Respondent stated that the racing manners of QUICKEN AWAY did not help the situation and contributed to the incident.

Decision:

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

Submission for Penalty:

Mr Oatham produced Mr Bosson’s riding record which indicated two previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely:

13/11/21 Riccarton 7-day suspension + $1500 (Group 1)

02/06/21 Cambridge 8-day suspension + $400

Mr Oatham said that despite the two previous breaches Mr Bosson has a good record under the Rule.  He said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be slightly below mid-range.  He pointed out that although two horses were impacted, the actual carelessness (i.e., the inward shift) was low end.

Mr Bosson confirmed that he commences a period of suspension after racing on 23 February, concluding after racing on 3 March 2022.  He asked the Adjudicative Committee to take into account his good record; his admission of the breach and the fact that any proposed suspension is likely to result in him missing the opportunity to ride one of the favourites for the Derby on 5 March 2022.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions and film evidence the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be low to mid-range and adopted a 6-day (suspension) as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 1 September 2021).

The available films established that the Respondent clearly shifted in when not clear of QUICKEN AWAY, who was crowded on to DOUBTFUL SOUND.  It was apparent that at the time QUICKEN AWAY was over-racing and this may have contributed to the consequences of the inward shift.  Although two horses were affected, the Adjudicative Committee deemed that the actual shift in was at the low end and was not abrupt.

The Respondent has a good riding record under the Rule; accordingly, a 1-day reduction was applied to the 6-day starting point for his combined admission of the breach and record.

After consideration of the above factors a 5-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion – Penalty:

Mr Bosson’s licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 days commencing after racing on 3 March 2022 and concluding after racing on 11 March 2022.

This takes into account that as a result of a previous breach which was incurred on 16 February 2022 at Tauranga the Respondent is suspended for 5 days commencing after racing on 23 February 2022 until after racing on 3 March 2022.