Auckland TC 2 May 2025 – R9 – Matthew White

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 9, The Roy Purdon Memorial Group 1,  the Respondent M White admitted a breach of Rule 869(3)(b); namely that he shifted his gelding outwards near the 100m, checking JOLIMONT, with CHASE A DREAM also being hampered.

The Respondent endorsed the Information ‘I do admit the breach of the rule’ and confirmed he understood the Rule and the nature of the charge.

Rule 869(3)(b) provides:

No Driver in any race shall drive carelessly.

Using available video footage, Stipendiary Steward N McIntyre identified the horses involved in the incident namely, WE WALK BY FAITH, driven by M White and JOLIMONT driven by D Butcher.  He said that WE WALK BY FAITH was three back and briefly held up, before shifting outwards into the path of JOLIMONT near the 100m. As a result, JOLIMONT was checked and forced into the line of a weakening CHASE A DREAM.

Mr White did not contest the evidence of the Stipendiary Stewards and had nothing further to add.

Decision:

The charge is admitted by the Respondent and is therefore deemed proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward N McIntyre produced the Respondent’s record, which was clear.

The Stewards’ assessment of the breach was that it sat in the low end, as Mr White was only marginally clear when shifting ground and the consequential effects were minimal.

Mr McIntyre said that an appropriate penalty would be in line with the Guidelines, which pointed to a 5 day starting point for careless driving in a Group1 event.

Mr White requested a deferment until after racing on the 9th of May.

Reasons for Penalty:

After taking into account the submissions of both the Applicant and Respondent; noting the race film and the resultant impact on the affected runner(s), the Adjudicative Committee assessed the breach as low- range and adopted a 5 day starting point as per the Guidelines.

The starting point for a breach of this nature reflects a mid range breach for a first offence.

In recognition of low range breach and Mr White’s admission, the Adjudicative committee applied a 1 day discount to the penalty.

Conclusion:

Mr White was suspended for 4 Northern Days.

The suspension is to commence after racing on the 9th of May and conclude after racing on the 23rd of May.