Auckland TR 22 February 2025 – R6 – Courtney Barnes

Introduction

Following the running of Race 6, the Group 3 Eagle Technology Avondale Cup ($250,000), Class A Rider Ms C Barnes admitted a charge of Careless Riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d). The Information alleged that Ms Barnes:

“permitted her mount FINAL RETURN to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear of LET FLY and INTERPRETATION near the 125 metres, with LET FLY being checked and INTERPRETATION being steadied when placed in restricted room.”

Ms Barnes confirmed that she understood the Rule and admitted 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.

Evidence

Using available race films, Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned, namely FINAL RETURN (C Barnes), LET FLY (J Doyle) and INTERPRETATION (J Allen).

Mr Oatham pointed out that FINAL RETURN was the lead horse, on the rails, as the field entered the home straight.  He said FINAL RETURN commenced to “hang badly” and shifted out into the line of LET FLY.  At that point, INTERPRETATION was behind those two runners. Mr Oatham said that FINAL RETURN continued to hang out and Ms Barnes changed her whip hand in an effort to correct her mount, but LET FLY continued to be dictated outwards.  He said that as a consequence, INTERPRETATION was held up and denied a run.

Mr Oatham said that FINAL RETURN was never any more than ¾ length clear of LET FLY.  Mr Oatham accepted that FINAL RETURN’S racing manners were a contributing factor and that although Ms Barnes did change her whip hand from right to left, she should have “used both hands to straighten the horse”.

In response, Ms Barnes said that her horse was on one rein and that she only struck it once with the whip, before changing her whip hand to apply corrective action.  She added that LET FLY was tiring when she shifted out.

Decision

As Ms Barnes admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee found the breach proved.

Submissions for Penalty

Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones produced Ms Barnes’ riding record over the previous 12 months.  He said that from 580 race rides, she has breached the careless riding Rule twice, namely on 06/11/24 – 4 day suspension and 26/06/24 – 3 day suspension.

Mr Jones said that Stewards assessed Ms Barnes’ carelessness to be in the low range. He submitted that due to the breach occurring in a Group Race with a stake of $250,000, a fine be considered in addition to any suspension.

Ms Barnes sought a deferment to any proposed suspension, until after racing on 1 March 2025. She had nothing further to add in terms of penalty.

Reasons for Penalty

After consideration of the circumstances of the breach and submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined Ms Barnes’ carelessness to be in the low range, which has a penalty starting point of a 5 day suspension.

In assessing penalty, the Adjudicative Committee took into account that the breach occurred in a Group 3 Race with a $250,000 stake.  Ms Barne’ mount finished third and her share of the stake was $1,100.  Accordingly, a 1 day uplift and $250 fine is applied to the 5 day starting point.

This is Ms Barnes’ third breach from 580 rides in the past 12 months.  She is assessed as having a good riding record. Therefore, for her combined admission of the breach and her record, a 1-day reduction is applied to the starting point, resulting in a 5 day suspension being imposed, plus the $250 fine.

Conclusion

Ms Barnes’ Licence to ride in races is suspended for 5 National Riding Days, commencing on 2 March 2025 and concluding after racing on 8 March 2025 (2/3/25 – 8/3/25 inclusive). In addition, Ms Barnes is fined $250.