Avondale JC 1 April 2023 – R9 – Crystal Lindsay

Evidence:

This charge arises from the running of Race 9. Senior Stipendiary Steward, Mr B Jones filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging Apprentice Rider Ms C Lindsay (RISING ROAD), “allowed her mount to shift out when not sufficiently clear of TE POROPITI (D Bradley) which clipped heels and had to be steadied losing ground in the home straight”.

Ms Lindsay acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach. She was assisted at the hearing by Mr N Harris (Northern Rider Mentor).

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, Mr Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Mr Jones told the Adjudicative Committee that approaching the 300-metre mark in the home straight, RISING ROAD was racing near the rails and back slightly on its outer was TE POROPITI. He said that Ms Lindsay took her right hand off the rein and applied a whip strike.  In doing so, her mount shifted out abruptly into the running line of TE POROPITI, who clipped a heel and blundered.  He said that at the time of the outward shift, RISING ROAD was never any more than one length clear of TE POROPITI.

On behalf of Ms Lindsay, Mr Harris advised the Adjudicative Committee that she has recently returned to race riding after having been referred to the Rider Skills Panel.  He said that she had a short break from race riding so that she could concentrate on riding at Trial meetings to improve her decision-making skills.  He said that this breach was the direct result of her “going for the whip and getting off-balance”, which he said is a decision-making issue that needs to be addressed.

Decision:

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

Submission for Penalty:

Mr Jones submitted that Ms Grylls’ riding record is good, with her having had one previous breach under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months. The previous breach occurred on 17 September 2022 at Taranaki and resulted in a 5-day suspension.  She has had 88 rides in the past 12 months.

Mr Jones said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the mid-range due to the nature of the check to TE POROPITI.

Ms Lindsay sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing on 8 April 2023. She accepted that the breach was related to her decision making around whip use.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race film, the Adjudicative Committee determined Ms Lindsay’s carelessness to be mid-range and adopted a 7-day (suspension) as the starting point.

The available films clearly established that Ms Lindsay allowed her mount to shift out after engaging her right arm to use her whip.  In doing so, she momentarily lost control of her reins and her mount shifted out abruptly. Fortunately, Rider Mr Bradley, due to his considerable race riding experience, was able to regain his balance and avoid being dislodged from his mount.  Mr Harris correctly pointed out that Ms Lindsay needs to improve her decision making.  He said that he will continue to work with her in this regard.

From the 7-day starting point, a one-day reduction is applied for Ms Lindsay’s admission of the breach. Her record is good, this being her first breach in 6 months. However, this must be tempered by the fact that she has only had 88 race rides in the past 12 months, and she has had a brief period of time off to enable her to spend time riding at Trial meetings so that she can gain more experience and confidence in her decision making.

After considering the above factors, the Adjudicative Committee deemed a 6-day suspension to be appropriate.

Conclusion:

The Adjudicative Committee granted Ms Lindsay a deferment to her suspension. Accordingly, her licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 days, commencing after racing on 8 April 2023 and concluding after racing on 20 April 2023 (6 national days).