Auckland TR 3 December 2022 – R3 – Wiremu Pinn

Evidence:

This charge arises from the running of Race 3, the Ellerslie Event Centre 1400m. Senior Stipendiary Steward, Mr Jones filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging Apprentice Rider Mr W Pinn (BELLADONNA), “allowed BELLADONNA to shift inwards near the 350m when insufficiently clear of FELICITY THEN (J Fawcett) which was checked.

Apprentice Rider Mr Pinn acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach. He was assisted at the hearing by Mr N Harris (Rider Mentor).

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 BELLADONNA (W Pinn), FELICITY THEN (J Fawcett) and SHOOTIN TO SAKS (L Satherley).

Mr Dooley told the Adjudicative Committee that approaching the 350-metre mark, BELLADONNA was on the outer of FELICITY THEN, who had SHOOTIN TO SAKS on its inner. Mr Pinn allowed his mount to shift inwards and at the same time, SHOOTIN TO SAKS shifted out very slightly. As a result, FELICITY THEN was checked.

Mr Dooley said that as Mr Pinn commenced to shift in, he continued to ride forward, and was never his own length and one other clear of FELICITY THEN. He added that Rider J Fawcett stood up in her irons because of being checked.

Mr Pinn, using the films, highlighted the fact that SHOOTIN TO SAKS shifted out and contributed to the incident. He said that Ms Fawcett stood up in her irons and made the incident look worse than it was. Mr Pinn added that at the time of the shift, FELICITY THEN was weakening and he anticipated, and indeed expected, that he would be able to pass that runner without incident.

Mr Harris said that the inside horse (SHOOTIN TO SAKS), shifted out and contributed. He also said that Ms Fawcett was hesitant and stood up when caught between the horses on her inner and outside.

Decision:

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

Submission for Penalty:

Mr Jones submitted that from 338 raceday mounts during the past 12 months, Mr Pinn has breached the Careless Riding Rule three times; namely:

22/10/22 – low range -7 days (G2 race)

12/10/22 – low range – 4 days

14/05/22 – low range – 4 days

Mr Jones said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range. He said the shift by the inside horse (SHOOTIN TO SAKS), was a contributing factor. He also acknowledged Mr Pinn’s admission of the breach.

Mr Pinn sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing on 10 December 2022. He submitted that the breach was low end and that he had no intent to interfere with FELICITY THEN, who was a beaten runner when checked.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race film, the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr Pinn’s carelessness to be low-range and adopted a 5-day (suspension) as the starting point.

The available films clearly established that Mr Pinn allowed his mount to shift in when less than one length clear of FELICITY THEN, who was checked. It was also noted that the slight outward shift of the inside horse contributed.

This is Mr Pinn’s fourth breach in 12 months. His record and admission were treated as neutral factors. On that basis, the Adjudicative Committee deemed a 5-day suspension to be an appropriate penalty.

Conclusion:

The Adjudicative Committee granted Mr Pinn a deferment to his suspension. Accordingly, his license to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 days, commencing after racing on 10 December 2022 and concluding after racing on 18 December 2022.