Avondale JC 12 October 2022 – R2 – Wiremu Pinn

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 2, the Respondent Class B Rider Mr Pinn admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of VADARA he permitted his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of JACK IN THE BOX (L Satherley) which was checked passing the 100 metres.  

The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission 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 Mr Dooley demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned, namely VADARA and JACK IN THE BOX.

He said that approaching the 100 metre mark the Respondent’s mount, VADARA, was racing one-off the rails with JACK IN THE BOX a length back on its inner.  He said that Mr Pinn was riding his mount forward whilst using his whip and shifted into the running line of JACK IN THE BOX. As a result, JACK IN THE BOX was placed in restricted room, checked and Mrs Satherley had to take a firm hold of her mount.

In response, the Respondent stated that his horse raced greenly.  He noted that on the way to the start it “shied away from everything” and was a difficult ride.  He added that in the home straight his mount also shied away from ROLAND GARROS, and pointed this out using the race films.  Mr Harris said that as soon as his mount shifted in, Mr Pinn stopped using his whip.

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submission for Penalty:

Mr Jones produced Mr Pinn’s riding record which indicated two previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely:

14/04/22 Rotorua – 4-day suspension

09/11/21 Te Aroha- 7-day suspension

Mr Jones submitted that Mr Pinn has had over three hundred race rides in the past 12 months and overall, he has a good record under the Rule. He said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range.

Mr Pinn sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing on 22 October 2022. He had nothing further to add in terms of penalty.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions and race film evidence the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s level of carelessness to be low range and adopted a 5-day (suspension) as the starting point.

The available films established that the Respondent clearly shifted in when not clear of JACK IN THE BOX.  He was not his own length and one other clear and consequently JACK IN THE BOX was tightened and Mrs Satherley had to take hold of her mount.

The Respondent has admitted the breach and he has a good riding record under the Rule given that he has had over three hundred rides in the past 12 months. Accordingly, a 1-day reduction is applied to the 5-day starting point for his combined admission of the breach and his record.

After consideration of the above factors, a 4-day suspension was imposed. Mr Pinn’s application for a deferment is granted.

Conclusion:

Mr Pinn’s license to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days, commencing after racing on 22 October 2022 and concluding after racing on 28 October 2022.