Auckland TR 17 May 2025 – R6 – Liam Kauri

Evidence

This charge arises from the running of Race 6. Apprentice Rider L Kauri (assisted by Mr W Pinn), admitted a charge pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging that he permitted his mount, FAT ALBERT, to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear, crowding CELESTIAL WONDER (C Grylls) onto THOOZA (W Kennedy), with both of those runners being checked near the 900 metres.

Mr Kauri 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 the horses and Riders that were involved.

He told the Adjudicative Committee that approaching the 900-metre mark, Mr Kauri was racing wide out, after jumping from barrier 9 at the 1100 metre start point. LUCULLAN (T Moodley) was in front of FAT ALBERT and CELESTIAL WONDER (C Grylls) and THOOZA (W KENNEDY), were racing on its inner.  Mr Kauri had to take a slight hold of his mount, to clear LUCULLAN and avoid that runner’s heels.  Shortly after, Mr Kauri turned his mount’s head inwards and the resultant shift put pressure on both CELESTIAL WONDER and THOOZA, who had to be checked by their respective Riders.

Mr Oatham acknowledged that there were several mitigating factors in Mr Kauri’s favour.  Firstly, he had to take hold of his mount to avoid the heels of LUCULLAN.  Secondly, the Rider of THOOZA told Stewards, during their post-race investigation, that he thought the horse in front of him at the time (TIMBUCTOO), was about to shift closer to the rail and had it done so, he would not have been checked.  Thirdly, Mr Oatham pointed out that the 1100 metre start point is “tricky”, as shortly after jumping from the barrier, horses race into a bend near the 900 metres and can become crowded, and Mr Kauri who is not familiar with the Ellerslie Track, may have been ‘caught out’ by this.

In response, Mr Kauri said that his mount was having its second race start, it raced greenly throughout and overreacted to the incident.  He said that it was a difficult horse to ride.

Mr Pinn, in support of Mr Kauri, said there were several mitigating factors in his favour.  He said that initially, Mr Moodley (LUCULLAN) had not given him much room.

Decision

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

Submissions for Penalty

Mr Dooley produced Mr Kauri’s riding record, which indicated 2 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months.  The most recent occurred almost 10 months ago, resulting in a 5 day suspension.

Mr Dooley said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness in the low to mid-range and submitted that any proposed suspension should be commensurate with a low to mid-range penalty.

Mr Dooley accepted there were mitigating factors in Mr Kauri’s favour; he admitted the breach; he had a good record, and he had only had one previous race day ride at Ellerslie.

Mr Kauri sought a deferment, until after racing on 18 May 2025 and in terms of any proposed penalty, offered no specific submissions, other than those issues previously highlighted.

Reasons for Penalty

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race film, the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr Kauri’s carelessness to be in the low to mid-range and adopted a 6-day starting point.

The available films established that Mr Kauri did allow his mount to shift in, resulting in crowding and checks to both CELESTIAL WONDER and THOOZA, and at the time of the shift, he was never the required distance clear.  The Adjudicative Committee agrees that there are mitigating factors, as pointed out by Mr Oatham, in Mr Kauri’s favour and these have been taken into account.

This is Mr Kauri’s third breach in 12 months, with his previous having occurred almost 10 months ago.  He is therefore deemed to have a good record and on that basis, the Adjudicative Committee afforded him a 1 day reduction for his combined good record, admission of the breach, as well as the mitigating factors.

After taking into account all the above factors, the Adjudicative Committee considered that an appropriate suspension was 5 (national) days.

Conclusion

The Adjudicative Committee granted Mr Kauri a deferment to his suspension and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 days, commencing after racing on 19 May 2025 and concluding after racing on 28 May 2025.