Auckland TR 7 December 2024 – R6 – Lynsey Satherley

Evidence

Following the running of Race 6, Class A Rider Mrs Lynsey Satherley, admitted a charge of careless riding in that she permitted her mount RIBKRAKA to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear of UNBRIDLED JOY (A Lawson-Carroll), which was contacted and unbalanced passing the 400 metres.

At the commencement of the hearing, Mrs Satherley 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, Stipendiary Steward Ms Haley demonstrated the incident and identified the horses named in the Information.

Ms Haley said that approaching the 400 metre mark on the final bend into the home straight, Mrs Satherley shifted her mount outwards and made contact with UNBRIDLED JOY.  As a result, its Rider Mr A Lawson-Carroll became unbalanced and had to race slightly wider in the run up the home straight.  Ms Haley pointed that Mrs Satherley was not the required distance clear of UNBRIDLED JOY, when she commenced the outward shift.

In response, Mrs Satherley said that her horse was green and overreacted when she made the initial outward shift.  She said it was only her mount’s third race start and that it raced awkwardly.

Decision

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

Submissions for Penalty

Mr Jones advised that this is Mrs Satherley’s first breach within 12 months, from 260 race rides.  He said she therefore has a very good record, and to her credit, she freely admitted the breach. Mr Jones added that the only aggravating factor to consider, is that the breach occurred in a Group 3 Race.

Mr Jones said that Stewards assessed the breach as being low level.

Mrs Satherley advised of riding engagements through until 14 December 2024 and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

Reasons for Penalty

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

It is of particular credit to Mrs Satherley that she has an excellent record, having maintained a clear record for careless riding over the past 12 months.  On that basis, combined with her admission of the breach, a two day reduction is applied to the starting point.  However, given that the breach occurred in a Group 3 Race, a one day uplift is applied to reflect the status of the race pursuant to Rule 920(2)(a).

Therefore, after consideration of all the factors, including Mrs Satherley’s culpability, her excellent record and admission of the breach, the Adjudicative Committee imposed a 4-day suspension.

Conclusion

Mrs Satherley’s request for a deferment is granted and her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days, commencing after racing on 14 December 2024 and concluding after racing on 20 December 2024.