Ashburton TC 1 June 2025 – R6 – John Morrison

Following the running of Race 6, G & R Partnership Trot, Licensed Open Driver, John Morrison, admitted a charge that, as the Driver of LOTTIE’S MOMENT in the race, he “drove carelessly leaving the final bend, by allowing his horse to strike the sulky wheel of GO HOME DENISE (Blair Orange), resulting in his horse breaking”.

Rule 869 provides as follows:

(3)  No driver in any race shall drive:-

     (b)  carelessly

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Shane Renault, showed a video replay of the incident as the field turned into the home straight. He pointed out the runners involved – LOTTIE’S MOMENT, driven by Mr Morrison, improving wide on the back of GO HOME DENISE, driven by Blair Orange, the two widest runners.

Mr Renault then showed Mr Morrison go to shift outwards and, in doing so, the near side front leg of his runner made contact with the outside sulky wheel of GO HOME DENISE, resulting in his horse breaking. As Mr Morrison had shifted outwards, he had not been quite clear, Mr Renault said.

Mr Morrison said that, just as he was turning for home, GO HOME DENISE had drifted out further than he had anticipated. His own runner was running out quite badly, he said. It was travelling really keenly at the time. When the mare came out, she went to go that quick, he said.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Renault said that Mr Morrison has had 248 drives this season and has a clear record.

He referred to the Penalty Guide, which provides a starting point for penalty for careless driving striking a wheel, of a $300 fine.

Mr Renault said that the consequences were that LOTTIE’S MOMENT broke and lost all chance. Having regard to Mr Morrison’s good record, Stewards submitted that a fine of $300 would be an appropriate penalty.

Mr Morrison referred to his good record. He also asked the Adjudicative Committee to take into account that his horse was travelling keenly and running out.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) suggests a starting point for penalty of a $300 fine, “the consequences of the action going to penalty”. Those consequences, in this case, comprised LOTTIE’S MOMENT breaking and losing all chance when coming into the race at the top of the straight, as the favourite for the race. The consequences offset the mitigating factors – that is to say, Mr Morrison’s admission of the breach and his clear record and the Penalty Guide starting point, is an appropriate penalty.

CONCLUSION:

Licensed Open Driver, John Morrison, is fined $300.