Ashburton TC 31 August 2025 – R11 – Riley Harrison

Following the running of Race 11, Thanks “Woodlands” for Years of Sponsorship Mobile Pace, Junior Driver, Riley Harrison, admitted a charge that, as the Driver of Hi Life in the race, she “allowed her horse to start from the incorrect position”.

Ms Harrison, a Junior Driver, was present at the hearing of the Information and she indicated that the breach was admitted. She was assisted by Licensed Open Driver, Gavin Smith.

Rule 859 provides as follows:

(2)     No driver shall permit a horse to start and no horse shall start other than from its correct barrier position or in advance of its correct barrier position (either at a standing, mobile, or moving start), unless directed by the Starter.

EVIDENCE:

At the outset of the hearing, it was agreed by both parties that the evidence heard at the protest hearing, which preceded this charge, could be read in as evidence in support of the charge, without the necessity to hear that evidence again.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Stipendiary Steward, Maja Szukiel-Deans, said that Ms Harrison has had 355 lifetime drives, 137 this season. She has a clear record under the Rule.

The Penalty Guide starting point for penalty is a fine of $400, she said. The Adjudicative Committee was referred to mitigating factors – that Ms Harrison did receive some interference, has admitted the breach and is a Junior Driver.

Mr Smith said that Ms Harrison had spoken to him after the false start, concerned what to do if she was checked again. It was her first experience of a moving start and there was a lot of “yelling and screaming”, including from the Clerk of the Course urging drivers to slow down, Mr Smith said. There was a lot going on for a Junior Driver to deal with, he said.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) suggests a starting point for a first breach of the Rule “if not disqualified” of a $400 fine. At the end of the earlier protest hearing, it was ordered by the Adjudicative Committee that placings should stand.

The mitigating factors were highlighted by Mrs Szukiel-Deans – that is to say, Ms Harrison’s clear record, her admission of the breach, her status as a Junior Driver and, also, that she received interference in the score up. In addition, the race was her first experience of a moving start which was, no doubt, a factor.

Those mitigating factors combined, warrant a discount from the Penalty Guide starting point of a $400 fine, which discount the Adjudicative Committee fixes at 25 per cent. Accordingly, the penalty is a fine of $300.

CONCLUSION:

Licensed Junior Driver, Riley Harrison, is fined $300.