Auckland TR 22 November 2025 – R2 – Samantha Collett

Evidence

This charge arises from the running of Race 2.  Deputy Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones filed an Information pursuant to Rule 636(1)(d) alleging the Rider of MALDINI (S Collett), failed to ride her mount out to the end of the race when there was a reasonable chance of finishing in second placing.

Ms Collett acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach.

Rule 636(1)(d) provides: being the Rider of a horse in a Race, must ride their horse out to the end of the Race if there is a reasonable chance of it running into a position for which there is prize money to be awarded or a dividend to be declared;

Using the available race films, Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned; namely MALDINI (S Collett), ATMOSPHERIC (C Grylls), HE’S CLASSIC (E Nicholas) and MOLLIFY (W Kennedy).

Mr Oatham told the Adjudicative Committee that approaching the 300-metre mark, both MALDINI, with MOLLIFY on its outer, were mounting runs from the middle of the track and HE’S CLASSIC was racing on the fence inside of MALDINI. At this stage, ATMOSPHERIC was back and wide and was just commencing a strong late run.

Mr Oatham pointed out that 5 or 6 strides from the finish, Ms Collect stopped riding her mount out to the finish. He said there were several mitigating factors that may have contributed to this. He referred to the race footage at the top of the straight and said that MOLLIFY shifted inward under pressure and dictated MALDINI inward. As a result, he said Ms Collett shifted her mount inwards and in doing so, she was conscious of, HE’S CLASSIC on her inner, whose Rider, Ms Nicholas had yelled out to Ms Collett, to avoid being squeezed on the rail.

Mr Oatham said that Ms Collett may have anticipated the gap closing but, once clear, should have ridden her mount out fully over the final stages of the race. He added that ATMOSPHERIC finished strongly to take second place, a neck clear of MALDINI, who finished third.

In response, Ms Collett commenced her submission by pointing out to the Adjudicative Committee that “I don’t have the benefit of slow-motion films.” when referencing her decision to ease her ride.   She said that her mount was dictated inward by MOLLIFY, ridden by Mr Kennedy and Ms Nicolas, who was on her inside, yelled out several times to her.  As a result, Ms Collett said, “I thought the gap was going to close, and I was mindful the I didn’t check Ms Nicholas (HE’S CLASSIC).”    

Decision

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

Submissions for Penalty

Mr Jones advised that Ms Collett has an excellent record under the Rule. He said that from over 11,000 New Zealand race rides, plus four years riding in Australia, Ms Collett has never received a warning or charge under this Rule.

In addition, Mr Jones said that Ms Collett should be given credit for her admission of the breach and the mitigating factors that were highlighted by Mr Oatham. He submitted that a penalty in the vicinity of two to three weeks would be appropriate under the circumstances.

Ms Collett said that she would like to defer any proposed suspension, until after racing on 30 November 2025.

Reasons for Penalty

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race film, the Adjudicative Committee accepted there were mitigating factors in Ms Collett’s favour and there were no aggravating factors to consider.

It was apparent that Ms Collett’s mount was dictated inwards by MOLLIFY, as both horses raced up the straight side by side.  They shifted inward at least three or more horse widths. But there was no contact and there was always a gap between the two horses. Ms Collett said she reacted after being dictated in, by taking steps to avoid shifting in and potentially checking HE’S CLASSIC, after its Rider Ms Nicholas yelled out to her.  This, according to Ms Collett, caused her to ease her mount, at least initially. Ultimately, the gap between MOLLIFY and HE’S CLASSIC remained unchanged, as Mr Kennedy corrected MOLLIFY’s course. Therefore, there was always sufficient room available for Ms Collett to keep riding her mount out.

Whilst Ms Collett eased her mount, ATMOSPHERIC finished the race off strongly into second place. The Adjudicative Committee is firmly of the view that although Ms Collett may have been justified in easing for a stride or two initially, particularly for safety concerns, once it was apparent to her that the gap had not closed and she had a clear run to the finish, she then had an obligation over the final two or three strides, to exercise more vigor and ride her mount out fully to the finish.  It was clear that there was more than a reasonable chance that she would have finished in second place, had she done so.

The Penalty Guide provides for a starting point of a 4-week suspension. After considering Ms Collett’s excellent record, her admission, and the mitigating factors, a 2½ week suspension was imposed. This equates to 11 meetings, which include two Premier Racedays.

Conclusion

The Adjudicative Committee granted Ms Collett a deferment to her suspension and her Licence to ride in races, and she is suspended for a period of 2½ weeks, beginning after racing on 30 November 2025 and concluding after racing on 17 December 2025.