Auckland TR 13 March 2022 – R5 – Matthew Cameron

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 5, the Respondent Class A Rider M Cameron admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of WAIMOKU FALLS permitted his mount to shift out causing interference over the concluding stages to THREE SIXTY.

The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach. .

Rule 638(1) (d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

Using the available race films Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham demonstrated the incident and identified WAIMOKU FALLS and Rider M Cameron.  The Adjudicative Committee had the opportunity to view the films on numerous occasions during an earlier protest hearing.

Mr Oatham said  that approaching the 50 metre mark Mr Cameron’s mount commences to shift outwards while being ridden forward with the whip and bumps the horse to his outer THREE SIXTY just short of the finish line. Mr Oatham said that while the shift was relatively low it did result in a protest and a change of placings.

In response, Mr Cameron said obviously there was a “slight graze” and given the protest and change of placings it was hard to argue. He submitted that the contact happened close to the finish line.

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved

Submission for Penalty:

Mr Oatham produced the Mr Cameron’s riding record which he referred to as excellent with no previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months from more than 340 rides.

Mr Oatham said that the Stewards assessed the interference as relatively low but it was an aggravating factor that a protest was instigated and there was a change of placings due to the interference.

Mr Cameron advised of riding engagements through until the 19th of March and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

In terms of any proposed penalty the Respondent had nothing further to add.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions the Adjudicative Committee determined  Mr Cameron’s carelessness to be in the low range and adopted a 5-day (suspension) as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 1 March 2022).

The available films clearly established that Mr Cameron shifted out in the last 50m of the race making contact with THREE SIXTY.

An aggravating factor is that the interference resulted in a protest and change of placing and for this the Adjudicative Committee applied a 1 day uplift.

In mitigation, Mr Cameron has an excellent riding record and for this in combination with his admission of the breach, the Adjudicative Committee apply a 2 day reduction on penalty.

After consideration of the above factors a 4-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion – Penalty:

Mr Cameron’s request for a deferment is granted and his licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days commencing after racing on the 19th of March 2022  and concluding after racing on the 26th of March 2022.