Auckland TC 19 September 2025 – R5 – Harrison Orange

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 5, the Border Fencing Services Handicap Trot 2200m, an Information was filed by Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Mulcay alleging Junior Driver Mr H Orange (PATRICK MAHOMES), breached Rule 869(3)(b) when he drove carelessly rounding the final turn by shifting inwards when not sufficiently clear of EYRE I WILL (S Abernethy), which was placed in restricted room and broke briefly as a consequence.

Mr Orange endorsed the Information ‘I do admit the breach of the rule.’  At the commencement of the hearing, he confirmed his plea and that he understood the Rule and the nature of the charge.

Mr Orange was assisted during the Stewards’ investigation into the breach by Open Driver Mr Phelan, who was not present during the subsequent hearing of the charge. It was explained to Mr Orange that as a Junior Driver, he was entitled to have a support person present, but he waived this right, and he appeared unsupported.

Rule 869(3)(b) provides:

No driver in any race shall drive carelessly.

Using available video footage, Mr Mulcay demonstrated the incident. He said that nearing the 400 metres, PATRICK MAHOMES (H Orange) was racing four back on the markers. OCEAN EYES (Z Butcher) loomed up on its outer and EYRE I WILL was trailing PATRICK MAHOMES. Rounding the home turn into the final straight, Mr Orange shifted out and this allowed EYRE I WILL to be partly established into the space vacated by PATRICK MAHOMES. Mr Orange then elected to shift back down and in doing so, EYRE I WILL was momentarily placed in restricted room; tightened and broke briefly.

In response, Mr Orange said that he agreed with Mr Mulcay’s interpretation of the incident. By way of explanation, he stated that “I looked to come off the markers, then came back down and it was too late” because EYRE I WILL had moved forward into the gap.

Decision:

As Mr Orange admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Mulcay submitted that Mr Orange is a promising Junior Driver, who has a clear record under the Rule. In mitigation, he said that Mr Orange was forthright with Stewards and should be given credit for admitting the breach. He said Stewards assessed the breach as low level, and the Penalty Guide provides for a $300 fine or 2-day suspension as the starting point penalty.

Mr Orange submitted that he would prefer a fine as opposed to a suspension.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions of both the Informant and Respondent; noting the race films and the resultant impact on the affected runner EYRE I WILL, the Adjudicative Committee determined the breach to be low level. On that basis, a $300 fine was adopted as the starting point penalty. A $50 reduction was applied to the starting point in consideration of Mr Orange’s clear record and his admission of the breach.

In the final result, a $250 fine was determined to be an appropriate penalty.

Conclusion:

Mr Orange was fined the sum of $250.