Auckland TR 2 April 2025 – R3 – Nichola Yuen

Evidence:

This charge arises from the running of Race 3.  Stipendiary Steward, Mr Davidson filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging that Apprentice Rider Nichola Yuen, “Permitted her mount SUPER DAILO to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear of ROBBIE, which was forced outwards onto DEEP PURSUIT, which was checked near the 150 metres”.

Ms Yuen acknowledged that she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach. She was supported at the hearing by Ms B Corbett.

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 concerned; namely SUPER DAILO (N Yuen),  ROBBIE (K Myers) and DEEP PURSUIT (R Elliot).

Mr Oatham told the Adjudicative Committee that after entering the home straight, SUPER DAILO was racing one off the running rail in the lead and commenced to hang out.  He said approaching the 150-metre mark, her mount shifted out, 2 to 3 horse-widths and in doing so, forced ROBBIE outwards onto DEEP PURSUIT, who was checked.  At the time of the shift, SUPER DAILO was not the required distance clear of ROBBIE.  Mr Oatham said that Ms Yuen tried to adjust her hold on the reins and that caused her mount to drift out.

By way of explanation, Ms Yuen said that her mount was “a hard ride, it was having its first race for 6 months and raced greenly”.  Ms Yuen added that she made an effort to correct her mount.

Decision:

As Ms Yuen admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Davidson submitted that this is Ms Yuen’s first breach of the Careless Riding Rule in New Zealand from 28 raceday mounts.  He said that she previously rode in South Australia and had incurred one previous breach of the Careless Riding Rule (June 2024).

Mr Davidson said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low to mid-range.

In terms of penalty, he submitted that a suspension commensurate with a low to mid-range breach be imposed, with a discount being afforded to Ms Yuen, for her admission of the breach and her good record.

Ms Yuen sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing on 9 April 2025. She advised that she had between 600-700 race rides in South Australia.  She had nothing further to add in relation to any proposed penalty.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race films, the Adjudicative Committee determined that Ms Yuen’s carelessness was in the low to mid-range and adopted a 6-day suspension as the starting point. The available films clearly established that Ms Yuen permitted her mount to drift out onto ROBBIE, which in turn forced DEEP PURSUIT outwards. Both ROBBIE and DEEP PURSUIT were checked as a consequence. Although Ms YUEN attempted corrective action, it was far too late.

From the 6-day starting point, a one-day reduction was applied for Ms Yuen’s admission of the breach and her good riding record, particularly given that this is her first breach in New Zealand and her previous breach occurred in South Australia 10 months ago. The Adjudicative Committee deemed a 5-day suspension to be an appropriate penalty.

Conclusion:

The Adjudicative Committee granted Ms Yuen a deferment to her suspension.  Accordingly, her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 days, commencing after racing on 9 April 2025 and concluding after racing on 17 April 2025.