Auckland TR 5 November 2024 – R6 – Jasmine Fawcett

Evidence

Following the running of Race 6, Class A Rider Jasmine Fawcett, admitted a charge of careless riding in that she permitted her mount PRETTY ‘N’ BLACK to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear of SHOOTING STRIDE (M McNab), which was forced outwards crowding SANTA CATALINA (J Doyle), LANIKAI (V Colgan) and JUST A KARIN (L Satherley), which was checked near the 200 metres.

At the commencement of the hearing, Ms Fawcett confirmed that she admitted the charge and that she understood the nature 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, Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses named in the Information, who were either hampered or suffered interference.

Mr Jones said that approaching the 200 metre mark in the home straight, Ms Fawcett was searching for a run, when racing behind LADY GEORGIANA (G Rooke).  He said that she identified a gap, which immediately closed before she was able to establish her mount into that gap.  Ms Fawcett then elected to shift out onto SHOOTING STRIDE, who was forced on to SANTA CATALINA.  This created a ‘concertina effect’, resulting in SANTA CATALINA being forced on to LANIKAI, who checked JUST A KARIN.  Mr Jones further pointed out, that JUST A KARIN, made contact with the hindquarters of STEELY MAN (M Cartwright).

Mr Jones said there was no run available on the inside of LADY GEORGIANA, and Ms Fawcett forced a run when not clear of SHOOTING STRIDE. At the time of the shift, she was only slightly ahead of SHOOTING STRIDE, not the required distance i.e. her own length and one other.

In response, Ms Fawcett said that she was seeking a marginal run on the inside of LADY GEORGIANA, and at the same time, that horse shifted out slightly.  This, she said, caused her to shift out onto SHOOTING STRIDE.  Ms Fawcett readily accepted that she made an error of judgement.

Decision

As the Respondent admitted the charge, the Adjudicative Committee finds it to be proved.

Submissions for Penalty

Mr Oatham produced Ms Fawcett’s riding record, which indicated two previous breaches of the Careless Riding Rule within the past 12 months, from 687 race rides. The most recent having occurred on 31 January 2024 at Te Rapa. He said that at the time of that breach, Ms Fawcett had a poor record, but this breach is her first since January 2024, a 10 month gap and on that basis, Stewards access her record as good.

Mr Oatham said that there are mitigating factors in Ms Fawcett’s favour.  He pointed to the fact that when she was looking for a run inside of LADY GEORGIANA, that horse shifted ground. He concluded that Stewards categorised Ms Fawcett’s level of carelessness, as being slightly below mid-range.

Ms Fawcett advised of riding engagements through until 13 November 2024 and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

Reasons for Penalty

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race films, the Adjudicative Committee agreed with Mr Oatham’s submission, that Ms Fawcett’s actual outward shift was slightly below mid-range.  However, after taking into account the consequences, notably that several horses were affected to varying degrees, the breach was determined to be in the mid-range and a 7 days suspension was adopted as the starting point.

The Adjudicative Committee also took into account the fact that LADY GEORGIANA shifted out at the same time Ms Fawcett was angling for a run on its inner, but ultimately, rather than forcing a run, she should have waited for a gap to emerge.

This is Ms Fawcett’s third breach in 12 months. During that period, she has had 687 race day mounts and is a busy National Rider.  Therefore, on a ratio of rides to breaches (one breach per 230 rides), the Adjudicative Committee has assessed her record as being good.

Therefore, after consideration of all the factors, including Ms Fawcett’s culpability, her good record and admission of the breach, the Adjudicative Committee imposed 6-day suspension.

Conclusion

Ms Fawcett’s request for a deferment is granted and her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 days, commencing after racing on 13 November 2024 and concluding after racing on 22 November 2024.