Auckland TR 9 April 2025 – R7 – Nichola Yuen

Evidence:

This charge arises from the running of Race 7.  Stipendiary Steward, Mrs Fisher filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging that Apprentice Rider Nichola Yuen, permitted her mount (CALLADA) to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of BERBIZIER which was checked near the 300 metres.

Apprentice Rider Ms Yuen was supported at the hearing by her Agent Mr L Innes.

Ms Yuen sought permission to leave the hearing due to transport arrangements. This was granted, but before she was permitted to leave, she confirmed that she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach. She also acknowledged that she had viewed the race films and had taken advice from Mr Innes concerning her plea.

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 CALLADA (N Yuen) and BERBIZIER (L Satherley).

Mr Oatham told the Adjudicative Committee that after entering the home straight, CALLADA was racing in or near the lead on the rails.  He said that Ms YUEN permitted her mount to roll off the rail and this presented a clear run to BERBIZIER, who was racing in the trail.  As Ms Satherley presented BERBIZIER into the gap, CALLADA shifted back inwards and checked BERBIZIER, who lost ground and was denied a clear run to the finish.

By way of explanation, Mr Innes said that Ms Yuen accepts the Stewards’ interpretation of the incident.  He added that her mount was tiring, and Ms Yuen misjudged the extent of her mounts outward, and then inward movement in the straight.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Mrs Fisher submitted that this is Ms Yuen’s second breach of the Careless Riding Rule in New Zealand.  The previous breach occurred at the Auckland TR meeting on 2 April 2025 and resulted in a 5-day suspension.  Ms Yuen previously rode in South Australia where she had over 600 raceday rides and had incurred one previous breach of the Careless Riding Rule (June 2024).

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

Mr Innes on Ms Yuen’s behalf, sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing on 19 April 2025. He had nothing further to add in relation to any proposed penalty.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race films, the Adjudicative Committee determined that Ms Yuen’s carelessness was mid-range and adopted a 7-day suspension as the starting point.

The available films clearly established that Ms Yuen permitted her mount to shift inwards, after rolling off the fence. As a result, BERBIZIER was checked and denied a rails run.  Rider Ms Satherley had to take a strong hold and was placed in restricted room on the fence.

From the 7-day starting point, a one-day reduction was applied for Ms Yuen’s admission of the breach and her good riding record, although it is noted that this is her second breach of the Rule within a week. She will need to take care when she resumes riding following her suspension, as another breach within a short period of time may result in a penalty uplift.

The Adjudicative Committee deemed a 6-day suspension to be an appropriate penalty.

Conclusion:

The Adjudicative Committee granted Ms Yuen a deferment to her suspension.  Accordingly, her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 days, commencing after racing on 19 April 2025 and concluding after racing on 30 April 2025.