Auckland TR 9 April 2025 – R4 – Jasmine Fawcett

Evidence:

This charge arises from the running of Race 4.  Stipendiary Steward, Mrs Fisher filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging that Class A Rider J Fawcett (SARRACINA) permitted her mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of RICHARD FARRELL, which was checked near the 250 metres with KAIMAI WARRIOR also being checked as a consequence.

Ms Fawcett admitted the breach.

Prior to the hearing, Mr G Rogerson, Co-Trainer of SARRACINA wished to address Stewards and the Adjudicative Committee concerning his horse’s racing manners.  He said that he had a lot of trouble with the filly (SARRACINA) due to her greenness and racing manners.  He asked that this be taken into account when assessing Ms Fawcett’s level of carelessness. This was noted by the Adjudicative Committee, and Mr Rogerson understood that Senior Riders cannot have support during the hearing. He left the hearing and took no further part in it.

916 (1) Subject to sub-Rules (2) and (3) of this Rule provides, a person shall not be represented by Counsel or a lay advocate at any hearing held by an Adjudicative Committee in respect of a matter which arises on a Race day, and which is held on that day.

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 SARRACINA (J Fawcett), RICHARD FARRELL (K Myers) and KAIMAI WARRIOR (T Moodley).

Mr Oatham told the Adjudicative Committee that nearing the 250 metres, SARRACINA ran out and then ducked back inwards.  It then shifted out again and Ms Fawcett swapped her whip hand.  As a result of the shift, both RICHARD FARRELL and KAIMAI WARRIOR were checked to varying degrees.  Mr Oatham pointed out that SARRACINA’S racing manners were a mitigating factor.

Ms Fawcett explained that SARRACINA was not an easy horse to ride due to its racing manners.  She added that it had initially veered away on its own accord from the race winner, ROCTAVE.

Decision:

As Ms Fawcett admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mrs Fisher submitted that Ms Fawcett has three previous breaches of the Rule within the past 12 months.  The most recent having occurred on 12 December 2024 and resulted in a 6-day suspension.  She added that Ms Fawcett has had 627 race rides in the past 12 months.

Mrs Fisher said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range.

Ms Fawcett advised she had nothing further to add in relation to any proposed penalty and sought a deferment until after racing on 19 April 2025.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race films, the Adjudicative Committee determined that Ms Fawcett’s carelessness was low range and adopted a 5-day suspension as the starting point.

The available films clearly show that her mount’s racing manners were a contributing factor, in that it shifted ground when placed under pressure in the home straight.

From the 5-day starting point, a one-day reduction was applied for Ms Fawcett’s admission of the breach and her riding record – given that this is her fourth breach from 627 rides (a rate of one breach every 156 rides is deemed to be ‘good’).

The Adjudicative Committee deemed a 4-day suspension to be an appropriate penalty.

Conclusion:

The Adjudicative Committee granted Ms Fawcett a deferment.  Accordingly, her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days, commencing after racing on 19 April 2025 and concluding after racing on 26 April 2025.