Auckland TR 5 April 2025 – R4 – Ace Lawson-Carroll

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 4, Apprentice Rider Mr A Lawson-Carroll (assisted by Mr N Harris) admitted a charge of Careless Riding in that he angled his mount EMBEZZLER into the line of SPECIAL SWEY (U Holmquist), who was checked near the 300 metres.

Mr Lawson-Carroll 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, Stipendiary Steward Mr Stewart demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders involved. Mr Stewart said that nearing the 300 metres, Mr Lawson-Carroll shifted out sharply into the rightful running line of SPECIAL SWEY, who was checked, and Rider Ms Holmquist was unbalanced.  Mr Stewart said that at the time of the shift, EMBEZZLER was never its own length and one other clear of SPECIAL SWEY.

In response, Mr Lawson-Carroll stated that his “mount was weak and green”.  He said that when a run was presented for him, the horse on his inside, KHAN HUNTER, shifted out slightly.

Supporting Mr Lawson-Carroll, Northern Riding Mentor Mr Harris said that Mr Lawson-Carroll had to come off the heels of KHAN HUNTER.

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham produced Mr Lawson-Carroll’s riding record, which indicated 5 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, from 586 race rides.  He said that the most recent breach occurred on 7 February 2025, resulting in a 4 day suspension.

Mr Oatham said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low to mid-range.  He accepted that Mr Lawson-Carroll’s mount was a difficult ride.

The Respondent sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing 13 April 2025.  He had nothing further to add in terms of penalty.

Mr Harris advised that Mr Lawson-Carroll has improved a lot in the past 12 months and is getting a lot of good race rides.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’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 EMBEZZLER shifted ground in search of  a run nearing the 300 metres.  Mr Lawson-Carroll directed his mount out into the running line of SPECIAL SWEY, who was checked and lost ground.  Ms Holmquist was also unbalanced.  EMBEZZLER went on to win the race by a short neck.

From the 6-day starting point, a 1-day reduction was applied for Mr Lawson-Carroll’s admission of the breach.  Given that this is Mr Lawson-Carroll’s 6th breach in 12 months, a 1-day uplift was re-applied for his poor record.

Conclusion:

Mr Lawson-Carroll’s request for a deferment is granted and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 days, commencing after racing on 13 April 2025 and concluding after racing on 25 April 2025 (6 days).