Riccarton Park – Banks Peninsula RC 5 February 2025 – R7 – Donovan Cooper

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 7, the Respondent Class B Rider Donovan Cooper admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of  MOUSSAIEFF “he allowed his mount to shift checking OCEAN LIGHT and hampering STAR BALLOT near the 350m.”  

The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his  admission of the breach.

Mr Cooper was assisted at the hearing by NZTR Apprentice Jockey Mentor, Jason Laking.

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 Veronica Algar, with the assistance of Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. Mr Davidson pointed out Mr Cooper, riding MOUSSAIEFF racing 4 wide approaching the 350m with OCEAN LIGHT, ridden by Abdul Najib, racing to the immediate outside with STAR BALLOT, ridden by Ashvin Goindasamy, racing to the outside of OCEAN LIGHT. The replays show Mr Cooper angle his mount outwards to improve when not clear of OCEAN LIGHT, which was checked and as a result, STAR BALLOT was hampered. Mr Davidson stated that Mr Cooper was only a bare length ahead of OCEAN LIGHT, when shifting into that horse’s running line.

In response, the Respondent, with the assistance of Mr Laking, stated that MOUSSAIEFF was not an easy horse to ride and had overreacted by shifting out further than was intended. He said he was travelling well at the time with the 2 other runners affected only battling at the time of the incident. Mr Laking added that had Mr Cooper waited a few more strides, he would have received a clear run anyway.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Ms Algar produced the Respondent, Mr Cooper’s riding record, which indicated 6 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely;

2 June 2024 – Otago – 6 day suspension (mid range)

20 June 2024 – Oamaru – 7 day suspension (mid range)

22 June 2024 – Riccarton – 7 day suspension (low to mid range)

16 August 2024 – Oamaru – 6 day suspension (low range)

25 September 2024 – South Canterbury – 10 day suspension (low range)

16 November 2024 – Riccarton – 10 day suspension (mid to low range – uplift for poor record)

Ms Algar said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low-range and submitted a starting point as per the Penalty Guide of a 5 day suspension. She added that Mr Cooper had 115 rides since his last breach in November 2024. Ms Algar stated that Mr Cooper’s mount went on to win the race, which could be considered an aggravating factor.

The Respondent advised of riding engagements through until 15 February 2025 at Ascot Park and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent, through Mr Laking, stated that Mr Cooper had been working hard with the assistance of the Rider Review Panel and had been clear of any careless breaches since November 2024.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent Mr Cooper’s breach to be in the low range and accordingly, adopted a 5-day suspension as the starting point.

The Respondent’s riding record, despite there being 6 previous breaches over the prior 12 months, was clear since November 2024, but in its totality, warranted consideration as an aggravating factor. In conjunction with the fact that Mr Cooper went on to win the race and his record in totality over the previous 12 months, a combined uplift was warranted. This uplift was set at 1 day.

Mr Cooper’s frank admission of the breach warranted a discount, which was set at 1 day.

Therefore, a 5 national day suspension was deemed an appropriate penalty in this case.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted until after racing on 15 February 2025 and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 national days, commencing after racing on 15 February 2025 and concluding after racing on 23 February 2025.