Auckland TC 21 September 2024 – R6 – Crystal Hackett

ID: RIB46420

Respondent(s):
Crystal Joyce Hackett - Junior Driver

Applicant:
Mr Steve Mulcay - Senior Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Dave Anderson

Persons Present:
Mr Shane Renault - Stipendiary Steward, Mr Mulcay, Miss Hackett and Open Driver Mr Scott Phelan assisting Miss Hackett

Information Number:
A16397

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Careless Driving

Rule(s):
869(3)(b) - Riding/driving infringement

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
I GOT CHILLS

Code:
Harness

Race Date:
21/09/2024

Race Club:
Auckland Trotting Club

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

Race Number:
R6

Hearing Date:
21/09/2024

Hearing Location:
Alexander Park Raceway

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Junior Driver Crystal Hackett is suspended for 2 days

EVIDENCE:

Following the running of Race 6, Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Steve Mulcay presented an Information alleging a breach of Rule 869(3)(b) by Junior Driver Miss Crystal Hackett, in that she drove carelessly near the 700m by shifting ground outwards and contacting the sulky wheel of HEARTS N ACES, which punctured.

Miss Hackett stated she understood the Charge, the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach. Miss Hackett was assisted at the hearing by Open Driver Mr Scott Phelan.

Rule 869(3)(b) provides:

No driver in any race shall drive carelessly.

Mr Mulcay played the race video to show Miss Hackett shift her horse off the back of HEARTS N ACES (J Cox) and into the running line at approximately the 700m and in doing so, struck the near side tyre of Mr Cox’s sulky, which deflated. Mr Mulcay said I GOT CHILLS had been racing very keenly.

Miss Hackett and Mr Phelan agreed with Mr Mulcay’s description of the incident.

DECISION:

The Respondent having admitted the breach, it was deemed to be proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Mulcay said Miss Hackett had a breach of this Rule on 24 May 2024, in the Group One Auckland Cup, where she was suspended for 4 days. He said Miss Hackett had 66 drives since that breach and the Stewards viewed this breach in the low range.

Miss Hackett made no submissions on penalty and said she would like to start any proposed suspension immediately.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Penalty Guidelines provide for a second breach of this Rule, a 3 day suspension starting point.

In this incident, Miss Hackett’s misjudgment was minimal, and she was dealing with a keen horse full of running. Miss Hackett has admitted the breach and together with her status as a Junior Driver, this Adjudicative Committee considers a 2 day suspension appropriate in the circumstances of this case.

CONCLUSION:

Junior Driver Miss Crystal Hackett’s Licence to drive in races is suspended from the conclusion of racing tonight, up to and including racing on 27 September 2024.

Decision Date: 21/09/2024

Publish Date: 24/09/2024