Auckland TR 31 January 2026 – R7 – Warren Kennedy

Summary

This charge arises from the running of Race 7. Deputy Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging the Rider of KIWI SKYHAWK (W Kennedy), “permitted his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of BOSCH (V Colgan), which was dictated inwards checking KNAN HUNTER (D Danis), and continued to shift inwards, resulting in BOSCH also having to be checked near the 1800 metres”.

Mr Kennedy admitted the breach and confirmed that he understood the nature of the charge.

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

Evidence

Using the available race films, Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Dooley demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders involved.

Mr Dooley pointed out that the race started from the 2200 metre in the home straight and the incident occurred prior to and on the bend leaving the home straight, between the 1900 and 1800 mark.  He said that KIWI SKYHAWK drew a wide and Mr Kennedy eased across the field following the eventual race leader (SINHAMAN).  Mr Dooley said that while crossing, KIWI SKYHAWK got into the running line of BOSCH, who was dictated on to KHAN HUNTER, whose Rider Mr Danis, had to take a strong hold to avoid the heels of BOSCH.

Mr Dooley said that at the time of crossing, Mr Kennedy was no more than a length clear.

Mr Kennedy said that he agreed with the Stewards’ interpretation of the incident.  He had nothing further to add.

Decision

The charge is admitted and is therefore proven.

Submissions for Penalty

Mr Jones advised that Mr Kennedy has previously breached the Careless Riding Rule twice during the past 12 months, from 414 raceday rides. His said Mr Kennedy has a very good record, with his most recent breach having occurred on 29 March 2025.

Mr Jones said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness on this occasion to be in the low to mid-range. He submitted that any proposed suspension should include recognition of his admission and good record.

Mr Kennedy sought to defer any proposed suspension until after racing on 7 February 2026.

Reasons for Penalty

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race films, the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr Kennedy’s carelessness to be in the low to mid-range and adopted a 6-day starting point.

The available films established that Mr Kennedy eased across the field from a wide draw, to take up a handy position.  The films show that he looked across several times to ensure that there were no horses inside and behind him.  However, he reached the bend out of the home straight before completing the shift and on the bend, he crossed onto the running line of BOSCH, who was dictated onto KHAN HUNTER.  Although Mr Kennedy’s shift was low end, the consequences of it were that two runners were impacted to varying degrees, with KHAN HUNTER being the worst affected.

Mr Kennedy’s very good record and his admission of the breach were considered mitigating factors, for which he received a 1-day reduction from the 6-day starting point.

As a result, a 5-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion

The Adjudicative Committee granted Mr Kennedy a deferment to his suspension and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 days, beginning after racing on 7 February 2026 and concluding after racing on 15 February 2026.