Ashburton RC 24 December 2025 – R5 – Tina Comignaghi

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 5, the Respondent Class A Rider Tina Comignaghi, denied a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of ADIOS VAMONOS “she angled her mount outwards when not sufficiently clear of SOUL DESTROYER, which was forced outwards into the line of PURE JEWEL, which was checked”. 

The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her denial 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 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 Miss Comignaghi, riding ADIOS VAMONOS racing 6 wide approaching the 300m, with SOUL DESTROYER, ridden by Kate Hercock, racing to the outside of Miss Comignaghi and PURE JEWEL, racing to the outside and behind SOUL DESTROYER. Mr Oatham demonstrated on the replays, that Miss Comignaghi angled her mount outwards when only a neck ahead of SOUL DESTROYER and forced that horse outwards into the racing line of PURE JEWEL, which had to check.

Ms Hercock gave evidence that she had received pressure from her inside in this incident and was unsure whether contact had been made with ADIOS VAMONOS. Miss Hercock added that her horse did not help the situation, as it ran away from ADIOS VAMONOS, when the initial pressure was received.

Miss Comignaghi, in defence, stated that there had been no contact between her mount, ADIOS VAMONOS and SOUL DESTROYER and that she merely followed SOUL DESTROYER out, when that horse was running away from ADIOS VAMONOS.

Reasons for Decision:

After carefully reviewing the replays and considering all evidence presented, this Adjudicative Committee was satisfied that Miss Comignaghi shifted out when looking for clear running to the outside of SHES A SCORCHER, near the 300m. The Adjudicative Committee is also satisfied that contact was made between ADIOS VAMONOS and SOUL DESTROYER, which then forced SOUL DESTROYER out into the running line of PURE JEWEL, who was tiring and had to check. Of note, it was determined that SOUL DESTROYER did tend to run away from ADIOS VAMONOS after contact was made between the runners, but the action that created the movement, was Miss Comignaghi’s shift outwards, when not clear of SOUL DESTROYER. This Adjudicative Committee therefore determined that Miss Comignaghi had ridden carelessly on this occasion and finds the charge proved.

Decison:

The charge has been found proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mrs Fisher produced the Respondent Miss Comignaghi’s riding record, which indicated 1 previous breach under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely, Invercargill – 13 December 2025, where she received a 5 day suspension for a low level breach.

Prior to this recent breach, Miss Comignaghi, had an excellent record over the previous 12 months, considering she has had 467 rides over that period.

Mrs Fisher said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low-range and submitted a starting point as per the Penalty Guide, of a 5 day starting point.

The Respondent advised of riding engagements through until 28 December 2025 at Timaru and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent elected to make no submissions.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be in the low range and accordingly, adopted a 5-day suspension as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide.

Despite Miss Comignaghi’s recent breach in December, her riding record in totality, is good, and it was therefore determined a neutral factor in this process. There were no aggravating factors to consider, therefore no uplift was warranted. There were also no mitigating factors to consider in this case.

After consideration of the above factors, a 5-day suspension, commensurate with the Penalty Guide, was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for a deferment until after racing on 28 December 2025 is granted. Her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 national days, commencing after racing on 28 December 2025 and concluding after racing on 4 January 2026.