Auckland TR 11 November 2021 – R11 – Masa Hashizume

Evidence:

This charge arises from the running of Race 11, a rating 74 1600m event. Stipendiary Steward, Mr Williamson filed an Information pursuant to Rule 636(1)(d) alleging that Mr Hashizume failed to ride his mount OHCEEDEE out to the end of the race when there was a reasonable chance of running 2nd.”

Mr Hashizume acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach.

Mr Hashizume was assisted by Mr S Clotworthy.

Using the available race films Mr Williamson demonstrated the incident and identified Mr Hashizume and his mount OHCEEDEE.

Mr Williamson said that within the last 50 metres Mr Hashizume relaxed his ride and was overtaken by VOLTIVO who finished in 2nd position. Mr Williamson said that the margin between 2nd and 3rd was a nose. Mr Williamson said that Mr Hashizume may have thought he had VOLTIVO covered as he had held a margin over it for some time in the straight and when VOLTIVO came back at Mr Hashizume’s mount just short of the line, Mr Hashizume pushed his mount for a further 2 strides but VOLTIVO just got past him. Mr Williamson also added it had been a long day with this being Mr Hashizume’s 11th ride, but he still had an obligation to ride his mount out until the finish.

In response Mr Hashizume said that he had recently hurt his back and this combined with the effects of a long day had “caught up” with him in the last race. He added it was only 1 stride that he didn’t push.

Decision:

As Mr Hashizume admitted the breach the Committee found the charge proved.

Submission For Penalty:

Ms Selvakumaran said that Mr Hashizume had a clear record in relation to the Rule, and that a penalty in line with the Guidelines should be considered.

Mr S Clothworthy assisted Mr Hashizume by saying that Mr Hashizume had not had any riding income for 3 months. He had just had a new baby and had been going through some tough times without this income. Mr Clotworthy also added that you couldn’t definitely say that OHCEEDEE would have maintained 2nd place if Mr Hashizume had ridden his mount out to the line.

Reasons For Penalty:

The Committee viewed the video evidence and were satisfied that Mr Hashizume relaxed his ride for approximately 3 strides inside the last 50m of the race, and then immediately pushed his mount for the last two strides, when he thought he may lose 2nd place.

The starting point for a breach where a Rider fails to ride to the finish when there was a chance of running 2nd is a 4 week suspension.

When considering a penalty regarding a charge of this nature a Committee would generally only issue a suspension in line with the Penalty Guide. In this particular instance, there is no clarity as to when racing in the North (Auckland) may continue in either a pop-up fashion (as per today’s meeting) or an ongoing capacity. Clearly, a suspension on its own would be a penalty of no consequence and on that basis the Committee needs to consider both a suspension and small monetary fine to balance these factors.

Having considered, the nature of the breach, Mr Hashizume’s record and the impact of Covid on Northern Riders the Committee believes an appropriate penalty is a 3 week suspension and a fine of $150.

Penalty:

The Committee imposes a 3 week suspension commencing immediately, calculated from after racing on the 14th of November and concluding after racing on the 5th of December. In addition we impose a $150 fine.

The following race meetings were not included in the suspension as Rider declarations had closed.

Awapuni 12th November

Tauranga 13th November

Waverley 14th November