Auckland TC 18 July 2025 – R8 – Stephen Telfer

ID: RIB57082

Respondent(s):
Stephen George Telfer - Trainer

Applicant:
Mr C Lomey - Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Mr G Jones

Persons Present:
Mr McIntyre - Chief Stipendiary Steward

Information Number:
A11715

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Failure to notify gear

Rule(s):
865(2) - Incorrect gear

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
MEDINA MAGIC

Code:
Harness

Race Date:
18/07/2025

Race Club:
Auckland Trotting Club

Race Location:
Alexandra Park - Cnr Greenlane West & Manukau Road Greenlane, Auckland, 1051

Race Number:
R8

Hearing Date:
18/07/2025

Hearing Location:
Alexandra Park

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Training Partnership S and A Telfer fined $150

EVIDENCE

Following Race 8, Stipendiary Steward Mr C Lomey filed an Information alleging the Telfer Training Partnership was in breach of Rule 865(2) in that MEDINA MAGIC was presented to race without notified blinds.

Co-Trainer, Mr S Telfer representing the Training Partnership endorsed the Information “I do admit the breach of the Rule” and “I do not wish to be present at the hearing of this Information.”  Mr Telfer was excused from attending the hearing.

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr McIntyre advised the Adjudicative Committee that a charge of this nature would normally be dealt with by way of Minor Infringement Notice,but given that this is the Training Partnership’s third breach since 6 June 2025, Stewards elected to file an Information.

DECISION

The charge is admitted and is therefore proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY

Mr McIntyre submitted that Stewards were seeking a fine in the vicinity of $150, notwithstanding that a breach of this Rule would ordinarily result in a fine of $100 under the schedule set out in the Minor Infringement Regulations (MIR). He said the $50 uplift was sought because this is the Training Partnership’s third breach of the Rule within the 120-day reset period. The previous two breaches occurred on:

7 July 2025 at Cambridge – $100 fine

6 June 2025 at Auckland TC – $100 fine

REASONS FOR PENALTY

The relevant Rules provide:

865(1) The trainer or person in control of a horse shall give notice, in the manner prescribed in the Approved Gear Regulations, of the notifiable gear to be worn by a horse in a totalisator race no later than the official deadline for the notification of drivers at the race meeting in which a horse is entered.

865(2) Every horse entered in a totalisator race shall be presented in the assembly area prior to the race in the same notifiable gear as that notified under sub-rule (1).

Under the Regulations, a breach of Rule 865(1) and/or (2) is generally dealt with by way of a $100 fine. However, because this is the Training Partnership’s third breach of the Rule within the reset period, an uplift is required.

Accordingly, an uplift of $50 is applied to the starting point of $100.

CONCLUSION

The Training Partnership of S and A Telfer is fined $150.

Decision Date: 18/07/2025

Publish Date: 21/07/2025