Auckland RC 19 February 2022 – R7 – Craig Grylls

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 7, the AJC Avondale Guineas (Group II), the Respondent Class A Rider Craig Grylls admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of LA CRIQUE he permitted his mount to shift in near the 2000 metres when not clear of TE TOKI (V Colgan), WHITE NOISE (R Elliot) and SHOCKATILLATA (S McKay) all were hampered to various degrees”. 

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 Stipendiary Steward Mrs Selvakumaran demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Mrs Selvakumaran said that approaching the 2000 metre mark Mr Grylls has shifted inwards after leaving barrier 9 at the 2100 metre start point.  She said that Mr Grylls came across the field when not sufficiently clear of the runners on his inside, namely TE TOKI, WHITE NOISE and SHOCKATILLATA.

Mrs Selvakumaran pointed out that TE TOKI was the first horse to be crowded, who in turn inconvenienced WIHITE NOISE and SHOCKATILLATA.  In mitigation she said that at the time SHOCKATILLATA was racing ungenerously, but at no stage was Mr Grylls more than one length clear of the runner to his inside.

In response, Mr Grylls stated that he was riding forward from his wide barrier and thought that he was sufficiently clear when shifting it.  He accepted that the films clearly showed he was not clear.  He further stated that the racing manners of SHOCKATILLATA did not help the situation.

Decision:

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

Submission for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham produced the Respondent’s riding record which indicated three previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely:

09 April 2021 at Awapuni – 3 days suspension + $250

23 June 2021 at Counties – 4 days suspension + $500

12 February 2022 at Waikato – 6 days suspension + $400

Mr Oatham said that the Respondent’s most recent suspension occurred last week and after today’s racing he commences his 6-day suspension which will conclude after racing on 2 March 2022.  He said that the Respondent has had over 800 rides in the past 12 months; he is a busy National Rider and his overall record is good.

Mr Oatham assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low to mid-range and that although three horses were affected it was more the result of a concertina affect.  He added that the breach occurred in a Group II race with stake money of $120,000 and Mr Grylls’ mount won the race.  His percentage of the stake was $3450.

The Respondent advised that prior to the suspension he incurred last week his riding record was very good.  He said reiterated that when he shifted in, he thought he was clear of the runners on his inside.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race films the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr Grylls’ carelessness to be in the 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 clearly established that the Respondent allowed his mount to shift inwards and that he was intent on taking up a handy position in or near the lead as the field approached the sharp turn out of the home straight.  The Adjudicative Committee accepts that the shift was low end, but there were consequences to three horses.  The most affected was SHOCKATILLATA who at the time was racing ungenerously.

The Respondent’s riding record is very good given that he has had over 800 rides in the last 12 months.  Therefore, due to his record and admission of the breach a 1-day reduction was applied to the 6-day starting point.

Rule 920(2) empowers an Adjudicative Committee in imposing a penalty to have due regard to such matters as it considers appropriate including: (a) the Status of the Race; (b) the stake payable in respect of the Race. In this case the Race is a Group II with stakes of $120,000.  On that basis the Adjudicative Committee applied a 2-day uplift and imposed a fine of $1500 as LA CRIQUE won the race (the Respondent’s share of the stake being $3450).

After consideration of the above factors a 7-day suspension and $1500 fine was imposed.

Conclusion:

Mr Grylls’ licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 7 days commencing after racing on 2 March 2022 and concluding after racing on 12 March 2022.

A fine of $1500 is also imposed.