Avondale JC 25 April 2023 – R5 – Tayla Mitchell

ID: RIB19147

Respondent(s):
Tayla Mitchell - Apprentice Jockey

Applicant:
Mr Adrian Dooley, Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Geoff Hall

Persons Present:
John Oatham, Chief Stipendiary Steward; Mr N Harris, Apprentice Mentor

Information Number:
A18149

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Excessive use of the whip - struck mount 7 times prior to 100m

Rule(s):
638(3)(g)(i) - Contravention whip rule

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
SUPER WRAITH

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
25/04/2023

Race Club:
Avondale Jockey Club Inc

Race Location:
Avondale Racecourse - Ash Street, Avondale, Auckland, 1026

Race Number:
R5

Hearing Date:
25/04/2023

Hearing Location:
Auckland

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Apprentice Jockey Tayla Mitchell is suspended 6 days

Background

Mr Dooley alleged that in Race 5, Ms Mitchell struck her mount SUPER WRAITH 7 times prior to the 100 metres.

Mr Oatham demonstrated on the videos that the Respondent was racing at the front of the field. She struck her mount SUPER WRAITH 7 times in the home straight.

Ms Mitchell said her horse was going well and she had lost count in the heat of the moment.  Mr Harris said he was working with Ms Mitchell at the Riders Skills Review Panel and he believed she was responding well to his tutelage. He was disappointed at there being another breach and said he was endeavouring to impress upon her, the need to count the number of strikes carefully on raceday.

Decision

As Ms Mitchell has admitted the breach, it is found to be proved.

Submissions as to penalty

Mr Dooley produced the Respondent’s record which showed 4 breaches in the previous 6 months, 2 on 11 March, 1 on 9 March and a further one on 1 November last. He noted the horse had run 2nd. He submitted that a penalty in accordance with the RIB Penalty Guide was appropriate.

Mr Harris and Ms Mitchell accepted this. Ms Mitchell asked for a deferment until after the meeting on 29 April.

Reasons for Penalty

Ms Mitchell has struck SUPER WRAITH 7 times prior to the 100 metres. The NZTR Guidelines provide for a suspension of 5+ days where there are 2 additional strikes, and the jockey has 4 previous breaches in the past 6 months.

Taking into account the frequency of the last 3 breaches and noting that the horse ran second, an uplift from 5 days is appropriate. This uplift is tempered by the fact that Mr Harris is confident that Ms Mitchell is responding well to instruction at the Riders Skills Review Panel and he will continue to work with her.

Conclusion

Ms Mitchell is suspended for 6 National days from the end of racing on 29 April 2023, up to and including 7 May 2023.

Decision Date: 25/04/2023

Publish Date: 26/04/2023