Ashburton RC 16 April 2025 – R5 – Donovan Cooper

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 5, Agraforum Growing Innovation 1600m, the Respondent Class B Rider Donovan Cooper, admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of  POGACAR “he permitted his mount to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear, dictating LA FURRIOSSA outwards into the line of MISS REILLY, which was checked near the 250m.”  

The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his  admission of the breach.

Mr Cooper was assisted at the hearing by Licensed Trainer Ross Beckett.

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 Veronica Fisher, with the assistance of Chief Stipendiary Steward John Oatham, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. Mr Oatham pointed out Mr Cooper, riding POGACAR racing mid track and in contention, with LA FURRIOSSA, ridden by Courtney Barnes and MISS REILLY, ridden by Joe Doyle, racing in that order to the outside of POGACAR approaching the 250m.  The replays show Mr Cooper riding his mount out with the whip in the left hand and allowing his mount to shift outwards into the line of LA FURRIOSA, who was dictated outwards into the rightful running line of MISS REILLY, who had to check near the 250m. Mr Oatham stated that Mr Cooper was only a bare length ahead of LA FURRIOSA, when shifting into that horse’s running line, with MISS REILLY within the heels of LA FURRIOSA, when the incident occurred.

In response, the Respondent, with the assistance of Mr Beckett, stated that POGACAR was racing greenly and with him using the whip in his left hand, the horse was reacting to the whip by shifting out on the track.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mrs Fisher produced the Respondent, Mr Cooper’s riding record, which indicated 7 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely;

2 June 2024 – Otago – 6 day suspension (mid range)

20 June 2024 – Oamaru – 7 day suspension (mid range)

22 June 2024 – Riccarton – 7 day suspension (low to mid range)

16 August 2024 – Oamaru – 6 day suspension (low range)

25 September 2024 – South Canterbury – 10 day suspension (low range)

16 November 2024 – Riccarton – 10 day suspension (mid to low range – uplift for poor record)

5 February 2025 – Riccarton – 5 day suspension (low range)

Mrs Fisher said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low to mid-range and submitted a starting point as per the Penalty Guide of a 6 day suspension. She added that Mr Cooper’s record was an aggravating factor.

The Respondent elected to make no submissions in regard to penalty, apart from advising of riding engagements through until 26 April 2025 at Riccarton Park and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent Mr Cooper’s breach to be in the low to mid-range and accordingly, adopted a 6-day suspension as the starting point.

The Respondent’s riding record, despite there being 7 previous breaches over the prior 12 months, was clear for 3 months since November 2024, but but since 5 February 2025, this was Mr Cooper’s second breach, which with the totality of his record, warranted consideration as an aggravating factor. For this aggravating factor, an uplift was imposed, calculated at 2 days.

Mr Cooper’s frank admission of the breach warranted a discount, which was set at 1 day.

Therefore, a 7 National Day suspension was deemed an appropriate penalty in this case.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted until after racing on 26 April 2025 and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 7 National Days, commencing after racing on 26 April 2025 and concluding after racing on 9 May 2025.