Ashburton TC 10 August 2025 – R4 – Richard May

Following the running of Race 4, the MT HUTT TROTTING CLUB Mobile Pace, Open Driver, Ricky May, as the Driver of KAIRAKI VEGAS in the race, denied a charge that he “drove carelessly passing the 900 metres when contacting the sulky of KOWHAI STAR.

Rule 869 provides:

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

    (b) carelessly

EVIDENCE:

Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr Nigel McIntyre, showed the available video replays of the incident with approximately 1000 metres to run. He pointed out KAIRAKI VEGAS driven by Mr May, racing mid-field on the markers as the field turned into the back straight. He said Mr May took the opportunity to shift into the running line shortly afterwards. Mr McIntyre showed Mr May rein up his horse, who was approximately 1 ½ lengths from the back of KOWHAI STAR (S Ottley). He said Mr May, in trying to gather the trail of KOWHAI STAR, ran up the back of Miss Ottley, galloped and hampered three trailing runners.

Mr May began by conceding that he did run into the back of KOWHAI STAR, however, he was attempting to prevent Mr DeFilippi (TIPSTAR) from forcing him 3 wide. Mr May said his horse was awkward and that there was an easing of pace, but on viewing the video, realized it was slight. He said his horse was wearing a wire bit and threw its head up when restrained.

DECISION:

The charge was found proved.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Adjudicative Committee was clearly satisfied that Mr May had driven carelessly. The Adjudicative Committee accepts his assertion that there was an easing of pace, but it was only minimal. It does not accept KAIRAKI VEGAS was awkward, and its observations were that it threw its head up after contact was made to KOWHAI STAR’S sulky. The Adjudicative Committee could see no reasons for the incident, other than a moment of inattentive driving.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr McIntyre said that Mr May has had two previous breaches under the Careless Driving Rule on his record.

19 April 2025 – $300 fine

2 May 2025 – 4-day suspension, which involved a relegation.

Stewards believed that the carelessness was at a low-level, and a 4-day suspension would be an appropriate penalty.

Mr May asked for deferment of penalty until after the Kurow meeting on 17 August.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) provides a starting point for a second breach of the Rule, a 3-day suspension. The Adjudicative Committee uplifts this starting point to 4 days, due to Mr May’s record.

Mr May has chosen to defend the charge as is his right and the Adjudicative Committee can find no mitigating factors to alleviate Mr May’s sanction.

Deferment is granted.

CONCLUSION:

The Respondent, Open Driver Ricky May, is suspended from the conclusion of racing on 17 August, up to and including racing on 31 August 2025.