Ashburton RC 3 July 2025 – R6 – Kendra Bakker

Following the running of Race 6, Gary McCormick Transport Ltd 1600, Class B Jockey, Kendra Bakker, admitted a breach in that, as the Rider of BELLA LUCE in the race, she rode carelessly in that she “shifted ground inwards when not clear passing the 1300 metres, crowding and checking HEREIGOAGAIN (Rohan Mudhoo).

Ms Bakker was assisted at the hearing by Apprentice Jockey Mentor, Jason Laking.

Rule 638 provides as follows:

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

        (d)   careless.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward Veronica Fisher, had Stipendiary Steward Rebecca Haley, point out the incident on video replays. Ms Haley pointed out Ms Bakker’s mount, BELLA LUCE, and the runner affected, HEREIGOAGAIN, ridden by Rohan Mudhoo. Those horses had drawn barriers 2 and 1 respectively at the 1600 metres start.

Ms Haley pointed out that, just after the crossing, Ms Bakker angled her mount in, when not clear of HEREIGOAGAIN on her inside, checking that runner. Ms Bakker was not the required own length and another length clear, an error of judgement on her part, Ms Haley said.  Mr Mudhoo’s mount may have overreacted, she added.

Mr Laking said that Mr Mudhoo had told Ms Bakker before the race that he intended to “take a sit”. Ms Bakker had gone forward and had misjudged her shift. He also submitted that Mr Mudhoo’s mount had overreacted slightly. The breach was very low end, he submitted.

DECISION:

The breach having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mrs Fisher said that the Respondent has a clear record in the last 12 months, due to her having had an injury and not riding for some time. She only returned to race riding last month, Mrs Fisher said. The breach was in the low-range, she said. She referred to the Penalty Guide starting point for a low-range breach of a 5-days suspension, but Ms Bakker’s good record should be taken into account.

Ms Bakker sought a deferment of suspension until after the meeting of Canterbury Racing on 9 July 2025.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Adjudicative Committee is satisfied that the breach is low-range. Ms Bakker has slightly misjudged her inwards movement after leaving the crossing and rejoining the running rail, and has caused a check to Mr Mudhoo’s mount.

The RIB Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide (February 2025) suggests a starting point for penalty for a low-range careless riding breach, of a 5-days suspension. There are no aggravating factors. Ms Bakker is an Apprentice Jockey, her record is a good one and she has admitted the breach. For those mitigating factors, the Adjudicative Committee gives a discount of one day from the Penalty Guide starting point. The penalty is a 4-days suspension.

CONCLUSION:

Ms Bakker’s application for a deferment is granted.

She is suspended under her Class B Licence, from riding in races for a period commencing on 10 July 2024, up to and including 20 July 2024.

Ms Bakker is a South Island Rider and a term of 4 National Riding Days will not include any South Island Raceday. Accordingly, the period of suspension is extended to include the next South Island Meeting, which is at Oamaru on 20 July 2025. For the sake of clarity, while the term of suspension includes 7 National Riding Days, the actual term of suspension imposed for the breach is 4 days, for the reasons given.