Auckland TR 25 November 2023 – R10 – Ryan Elliot

Evidence

This charge arises from the running of Race 10, the HR Fisken & Sons 1600.  Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr B Jones filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging that Mr Elliot permitted his mount RUDYARD to shift outwards when insufficiently clear of MERSEY BEAT which was checked near the 50 metres.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides:  A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

Mr Elliot said that he understood the Rule and confirmed he admitted the breach.

Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson demonstrated the incident using the available race films. He pointed out that RUDYARD raced at the rear of the field entering the home straight.  As the field fanned out, Mr Elliot’s mount remained on the rails, finished the race off strongly and won.  Nearing the 50 metres, Mr Elliot was tracking to the lead runner (ARMINO), when he allowed his mount to shift out across the heels of MERSEY BEAT (A Goindasamy) who was checked.  Mr Davidson pointed out that Mr Elliot shifted to the outer of ARMINO to gain a clear run to the line.

Mr Elliot said that he was committed to the rails run and noticed that ARMINO who was the lead horse, was “drifting about” and he had to make a decision to either continue to the inside of that runner or shift out. He said that he elected to shift out because his mount was “going so well and unable to stop” its forward momentum.

Decision

As Mr Elliot admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proved.

Submissions for Penalty

Mr Jones produced Mr Elliot’s record which showed no previous Careless Riding breaches in the past 12 months. He said this is an excellent record, noting that Mr Elliot has had 380 mounts over that period.

Mr Jones said that Stewards assessed the breach to be in the low to mid-range.

Mr Elliot advised that he had engagements up to and including 30 November 2023 and any proposed suspension could start after that date. He had nothing further to add in terms of penalty.

Reasons for Penalty

The Adjudicative Committee considered all the evidence and submissions presented and assessed Mr Elliot’s level of carelessness to be low to mid-range.

The race films clearly indicate that Mr Elliot angled out into the running line of MERSEY BEAT, who was checked.  Mr Elliot’s mount finished the race off strongly from the rear of the field and although he may have observed the lead horse ARMINO shifting ground, he still had an obligation to ensure that he was the required distance clear of MERSEY BEAT, before he elected to shift out. The shift out may well have been the winning of the race, but it was imprudent of him to do so at the expense of MERSEY BEAT, whose rightful running line was taken.

It is of some credit to Mr Elliot, that he has not breached the Careless Riding Rule in the past 12 months. His record in this regard, is therefore assessed as excellent.  The Adjudicative Committee deemed his combined record and admission of the breach, worthy of a 2 day reduction from the 6 day starting point for a low to mid-range breach.

There are no aggravating factors.

After weighing up all the circumstances of this charge, a 4 day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion

The Adjudicative Committee grants a deferment to Mr Elliot’s suspension.

Accordingly, Mr Elliot had his License to ride in races suspended for a period to commence after racing on 30 November 2023, and conclude after racing on 7 December 2023 (4 days).