Auckland TR 22 February 2023 – R3 – Trudy Thornton

EVIDENCE

Following the running of Race 3, the Hallmark Stud 1200m, the Respondent, Ms T Thornton (MS CANDEE LANE) admitted a charge, filed pursuant to Rule 638(4) alleging that she unreasonably reduced the speed approaching the 800m, resulting in THE CHROME NUN (K Hannan) and LUCIENNE (C Grylls) having to be firmly restrained to avoid heels and hampered as a result was BUSTER MOON (M Hashizume).

The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach.

Rule 638(4) provides: A Rider shall not unreasonably slow, reduce or check the speed of his or her horse to a degree that interferes, either directly or indirectly, with any other horse in the race.

Using the available race films, Mr Dooley identified the horses and Riders involved in the incident.  He said that approaching the 800-metre mark, MS CANDEE LANE, who was racing keenly, crossed into the lead from a four-wide position.  He said that after being two to three lengths clear, Ms Thornton has taken an abrupt hold of her mount.  As a result, she has come back onto the trailing runners, THE CHROME NUN (K Hannan) and LUCIENNE (C Grylls) who both had to be heavily restrained.  He also pointed out that BUSTER MOON (M Hashizume) was forced wider on the track.

By way of explanation, Ms Thornton said that her mount raced aggressively for two or three strides requiring her to take a firm hold.  She also said that THE CHROME NUN may have over-reacted to the incident.

DECISION

As the Ms Thornton has admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee found the breach proved

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY

In mitigation, Ms Selvakumaran submitted that Ms Thornton readily admitted the breach and has a clear record under the Rule.  She said an aggravating factor was that Ms Thornton took an abrupt hold of her mount, and three horses had their chances affected because of the breach. On that basis, she submitted Stewards placed the breach in the mid to high range.

Ms Thornton sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing on 4 March 2023. She had nothing further to add regarding penalty.

REASONS FOR PENALTY

The Penalty Guide provides for a suspension of between 6 and 8 days for a breach of Rule 638(4). After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined Ms Thornton’s culpability to be in the mid-range and adopted a 7-day suspension as the starting point.

The available films clearly established that Ms Thornton abruptly took hold of her mount and unreasonably eased the pace, resulting in three runners being affected to varying degrees.

A 1-day reduction was applied to the 7-day starting point in consideration of Ms Thornton’s admission of the breach and her good record.

After consideration of the above factors, a 6-day suspension was imposed.

CONCLUSION:

Ms Thornton’s request for a deferment is granted and her license to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 days commencing after racing on 4 March 2023, and concluding after racing on 15 March 2023.