Auckland TR 26 October 2024 – R5 – Masa Hashizume

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 5, Class A Rider Mr M Hashizume admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of VENDABELLE he permitted his mount to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear of CHASING WARRIOR, which was hampered, having to be steadied off the heels passing the 200 metres. 

Mr Hashizume acknowledged that he 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 Dooley demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned, namely VENDABELLE (M Hashizume) and CHASING WARRIOR (N Hailey).

Mr Dooley pointed out that as the field approached the 200 metre mark in the home straight, VENDABELLE shifted out and in doing so, hampered CHASING WARRIOR, who was racing on its outside.  CHASHING WARRIOR had to be steadied.  Mr Dooley said that at the time of the shift, VENDABELLE was never the required distance clear of CHASING WARRIOR.

In response, Mr Hashizume said that rounding the bend into the home straight, he tried to quicken and get clear of CHASING WARRIOR, who was on his outer, but on straightening his mount, raced greenly into what he described as a strong cross wind, causing him to drift outward.  He added that his mount changed leg before shifting, which he believed contributed to the breach.

Decision:

As Mr Hashizume admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr B Jones advised that Mr Hashizume has breached the Careless Riding Rule on three previous occasions in the past 12 months.   The most recent having occurred on 11 May 2024.  Mr Jones said that Mr Hashizume has had 747 race rides in the past year, and, on that basis, Stewards submit that he has a good record.

Mr Jones said that Mr Hashizume’s admission of the breach is a mitigating factor.  He added that Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range, which has a starting point penalty of a 5 day suspension.

Mr Hashizume sought a deferment of any proposed suspension until after racing on 2 November 2024.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr Hashizume’s carelessness to be in the low range and adopted a 5 day suspension as the starting point.

This is Mr Hashizume’s fourth breach in the past 12 months, however on a ratio of breaches to rides, this equates to one breach every 187 rides.  Therefore it is on that basis, the Adjudicative Committee has assessed his riding record as being a relatively good record, particularly so given that he has had 747 race rides over that 12 month period.

Therefore, after taking into account the level of the breach, which has been assessed as ‘low-level,’ and after affording Mr Hashizume a 1 day reduction from the starting point for his combined record and admission of the breach, a 4 day suspension is imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days, commencing after racing on 2 November 2024 and concluding after racing on 7 November 2024.