Auckland TR 22 February 2025 – R4 – Matt Cartwright

Evidence

Following the running of Race 4, Class A Rider Mr Matt Cartwright, admitted a charge of careless riding in that he angled his mount PENMAN outwards when not sufficiently clear of GRANDE GALLO (K Stott), which was checked near the 100 metres.

At the commencement of the hearing, Mr Cartwright confirmed that he admitted the charge and that he understood the nature 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 involved, namely PENMAN (M Cartwright), GRANDE GALLO (K Stott), OVERDRAWN (R Hutchings) and KOHEROA (W Kennedy).

Mr Oatham said that nearing the 300 metre mark, PENMAN was racing behind the leaders on the inside of GRANDE GALLO.  He said that Mr Cartwright was held up and searching for a run, but there was never a clear run available for him.  He pointed out that near the 150 metres, Mr Cartwright forced a run through a narrow gap and in doing so, checked GRANDE GALLO and briefly shifted onto OVERDRAWN, who was on its outer.  He added that KOHEROA also had to take evasive action.

Mt Oatham said that Mr Stott advised Stewards that although his mount was checked, “it was battling at the time”, but Mr Cartwright was never the required distance clear of GRANDE GALLO when shifting ground.

In response, Mr Cartwright said that although he agreed with the Stewards’ assessment of the incident, he believed that Mr Hutchings allowed his mount OVERDRAWN, to shift in “when things got tight”.

Decision

As the Respondent admitted the charge, the Adjudicative Committee finds it to be proved.

Penalty Submissions

Mr Jones submitted that this is now Mr Cartwright’s fifth breach for careless riding, from 292 race rides, since he commenced riding in New Zealand in August 2024. His most recent breach occurred at Auckland TR on 25 January 2025, resulting in a 7-day suspension.

Mr Jones advised that Stewards assessed the breach as being in the low to mid-range.

Mr Cartwright advised of riding engagements on 23 February 2025. In terms of any proposed penalty, he reiterated that Mr Hutchings’ mount (OVERDRAWN) has shifted in, inferring it was a contributing factor.

Reasons for Penalty

The Adjudicative Committee has assessed Mr Cartwright’s level of carelessness to be in the mid-range, which has a starting point of a 7 days suspension. Mr Cartwright attributed some blame to Rider Mr Hutchings, alleging his mount shifted inward.  The Adjudicative Committee, having reviewed the films, does not support this assertion.  In terms of Mr Cartwright’s carelessness, he forced a run, causing consequential interference to three runners, with GRANDE GALLO being the most affected.

Prior to commencing riding in New Zealand in August 2024, Mr Cartwright had two previous breaches of the Rule in Australia, namely on 20/04/24, 6 days suspension for a low level breach and 25/4/24, a 6 day suspension for a low level breach.

Mr Cartwright has now incurred 5 suspensions for careless riding, from 292 mounts, since arriving in New Zealand. This equates to one breach for every 60 mounts. His record for careless riding in New Zealand is therefore assessed as poor and is an aggravating factor, requiring an uplift from the starting point of 7 to 8 days.  It was also noted that Mr Cartwright’s mount won the race.

A one day reduction is applied, for Mr Cartwright’s admission of the breach.

After considering all the factors, the Adjudicative Committee determined a 7-day suspension to be an appropriate penalty.

Conclusion

Mr Cartwright’s License to ride in races is suspended for a period of 7 days. This will commence after racing on 23 February 2025 and conclude after racing on 7 March 2025.