Auckland TR 30 November 2024 – R2 – Michael McNab

Evidence

This charge arises from the running of Race 2, the Prezzy Card 1300.  Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging the Rider of ASCENSION (M McNab), angled his mount outwards when not sufficiently clear of FLYING ROSE, which was checked approaching the 100 metres.

Mr McNab acknowledged 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, Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned; namely ASCENSION and FLYING ROSE (S Spratt).

He told the Adjudicative Committee that approaching the 100-metre mark, Mr McNab was looking for a clear run. In doing so, he angled his mount out in front of FLYING ROSE, on his outer, when no more than one length clear of that horse.  As a result, FLYING ROSE had to be checked off the heels of ASCENSION.  Mr Oatham added that FLYING ROSE was weakening at the time of the incident.

In response, Mr McNab accepted that he shifted out, but thought that he was clear of FLYING ROSE, who he said was weakening at the time of his shift.

Decision

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

Submissions for Penalty

Mr Jones produced Mr McNab’s riding record, which indicated 2 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, from 527 race rides.  The most recent breach occurred on 6 April 2024 in a Group 3 Race and resulted in an 8-day suspension and a fine.

Mr Jones said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low-range and submitted that any proposed suspension should be commensurate with a low-range penalty.

Mr McNab sought a 7 day deferment to any proposed suspension and in terms of penalty, offered no specific submissions.

Reasons for Penalty

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

The available films established that Mr McNab did allow his mount to shift out, it was not abrupt, but he was no more than a length clear of FLYING ROSE, who was checked.  It is accepted that FLYING ROSE was weakening.

Mr McNab’s overall record is good, and he is given credit for his admission of the breach.  Accordingly, a 1 day reduction is applied to the 5-day starting point.

After taking into account all the above factors, the Adjudicative Committee considered a 4 day suspension to be appropriate.

Conclusion

The Adjudicative Committee granted Mr McNab a deferment to his suspension and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days, commencing after racing on 7 December 2024 and concluding after racing on 13 December 2024.