Auckland TR 26 December 2022 – R5 – Sam Spratt

Evidence:

This charge arises from the running of Race 5, the Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed Race). Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr Oatham filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging the Rider of GREEN AEON (S Spratt),“permitted her mount to shift outwards near the 250 metres when not sufficiently clear of FUNNY GIRL (V Colgan) which was dictated outwards crowding ONE MORE TIME (J Fawcett) and ROCKET SCIENCE (O Bosson) which were both checked”.

Ms Spratt acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed his admission 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 Stipendiary Steward, Mr Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders named in the Information.

Mr Jones told the Adjudicative Committee that approaching the 250-metre mark, Ms Spratt allowed her mount to shift 2 ½ to 3 horse widths, out into the running line of FUNNY GIRL who was dictated outwards.  As a result, both ONE MORE TIME and ROCKET SCIENCE were checked. Mr Jones said that at the time of the shift GREEN AEON was no more than one length clear of FUNNY GIRL.

In response Ms Spratt said that Mr Colgan’s mount continued to shift out after initially being dictated by her mount. Notwithstanding, Ms Spratt freely admitted that she permitted her mount to shift out.

Decision:

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

Submission for Penalty:

Mr Oatham submitted that Ms Spratt’s riding record is very good with her having had one previous breach under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months from 455 race rides. The previous breach having occurred on 3 March 22 at Rotorua (a low to mid-level breach).

Mr Oatham said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be below mid-range but emphasised that although her actual shift was low end it caused a chain reaction resulting in two horses being checked.

Mr Oatham said that the breach occurred in a Listed Race. Ms Spratt’s mount finished second with her share of the stake being about $450.

Ms Spratt sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing on 30 December 2022. She had nothing further to add in relation to any proposed penalty.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions and reviewing the Race film, the Adjudicative Committee determined Ms Spratt’s carelessness to be in the low to mid-range and adopted a 6-day (suspension) as the starting point.

The available films clearly established that Ms Spratt allowed her mount to shift out at least 2 ½ horse widths into the running line of FUNNY GIRL which resulted in checks to ONE MORE TIME and ROCKET SCIENCE.  At the time of the outward shift Ms Spratt’s mount was no more than one length clear of FUNNY GIRL. Ms Spratt submitted that after being dictated outward FUNNY GIRL continued to shift out. This was noted by the Adjudicative Committee who determined that any subsequent outward movement by FUNNY GIRL was well after the two runners (ONE MORE TIME and ROCKET SCIENCE) had no bearing of the checks suffered by ONE MORE TIME.

From the 6-day starting point, a two-day reduction is applied for Ms Spratt’s admission of the breach and her very good riding record, particularly given that this is her first breach in 9 months and second with 12 months from over 450 race rides.

The Penalty Guide provides that fines to be added as a percentage of the Jockey’s share of stake earned by their mount where the offence occurs in any Black-type Race, Prestige Jumping Race or Major Race. Therefore, in consideration of the breach having occurred in a Listed Race and Ms Spratt’s share of stake money being about $450, a fine of $300 is imposed.

In addition, a 1-day (suspension) uplift is applied in accordance with Rule 920 due to the breach having occurred in a Listed Race.

Accordingly, with deductions and an uplift Ms Spratt is suspended for 5 (national) days.

Conclusion:

The Adjudicative Committee granted Ms Spratt a deferment to her suspension. Accordingly, her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 days, commencing after racing on 30 December 2022 and concluding after racing on 4 January 2022. In addition, a fine of $300 is imposed.