Ashburton RC 16 October 2023 – R1 – Tegan Newman

SUMMARY OF FACTS:

Following the running of Race 1, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr Mark Davidson, against Ms Tegan Newman, alleging careless riding, in that she permitted her mount GWYNVER to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of I AM ROMAN which was dictated inwards crowding DANCING DREAM and DRUMGRANGE.

Rule 638(1)(d) reads as follows;

“(1) A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be:

    (d) careless”

Ms Newman had indicated on the Information that this breach of the Rules was admitted, which she confirmed at the hearing. Ms Newman also acknowledged that she understood the charge and the Rule it was brought under.

SUBMISSIONS:

Mr Davidson, with the assistance of Ms Algar, used the race films to show Ms Newman looking to come across and then crossed over when not clear of Mr Chowdhoory.  Ms Algar said that there were four runners involved. Ms Newman was starting to ride her mount forward and was looking inwards to come across, as she began to come across Mr Chowdhoory is forced across inwards onto the two other runners inside him. As a result those runners were crowded and had to steady therefore losing ground.

Ms Newman said that she did not realise that Mr Chowdhoory was there behind her as he was in her blind spot and said she could not hear him yelling. She said she went to move over with Ms Williams. In respect of the other runners Ms Newman said the incident looked worse due to the way Mr Hong’s horse was racing as it was racing fiercely.

REASON FOR DECISION:

As Ms Newman had admitted the breach, the charge was found to be proved.

SUBMISSIONS ON PENALTY:

Mr Davidson said Ms Newman had two relevant prior breaches of this Rule.

• 14 December 2022 at Whangarei where 5 days was imposed.
• 4 October 2023 at Tauranga where 5 days was imposed

It was submitted this was a low to mid-range breach. Mr Davidson submitted that the carelessness was at the lower end but the consequences were high. The Stewards agreed that Mr Hong’s mount had a tendency to overreact and when he tries to restrain the horse it tries to run away. In respect of her record, Mr Davidson submitted it was a good record given she has had 543 rides to date.

The Stewards outlined that Ms Newman was about to start a suspension for the careless riding charge from 4 October 2023 which was to end on 21 October 2023.  The Stewards sought that any suspension should start following that suspension.

REASON FOR PENALTY:

The Committee have taken into account the fact the incident was made to look worse given the overreaction of Mr Hong’s mount. Therefore, while there were a number of horses affected the breach is considered to be in the low to mid-range.

Accordingly the starting point adopted is a 6 day suspension. With regard to Ms Newman’s record, the Committee consider it is a good record given she is a busy Rider. A discount of 1 day is appropriate to reflect her frank admission of the breach and her good record.

A 5 day suspension is the appropriate penalty in this case. The penalty is to commence 22 October 2023 and continue up to and including 28 October 2023.

PENALTY:

Ms Newman is suspended for 5 days from 22 October 2023 up to and including 28 October 2023.