Banks Peninsula TC 7 January 2024 – R7 – Alana Cameron

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 7, Selwyn District Council Junior Drivers Mobile Pace, Junior Driver, Alana Cameron, admitted a charge that, as the Driver of MOTOR MOUTH in the race, she “drove carelessly leaving the final bend when allowing her horse to strike the wheel of BLUE ROCK DANCER (Riley Harrison) which punctured”.

The Respondent was assisted at the hearing by Open Driver, John Dunn.

Rule 869 provides:

(3)  No driver in any race shall drive:-

      (b)   carelessly.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Matt Sole, had Steward, Shane Renault, show a video replay of the incident, just as the field turned into the final straight. He pointed out MOTOR MOUTH, driven by the Respondent, racing in the trail behind the leader, BLUE ROCK DANCER and angling down to take a run in the passing lane. He then showed that, as she shifted down, the Respondent’s runner struck the inside sulky wheel of the leader, causing the sulky tyre to puncture.

Mr Sole said that it was difficult to assess the effect on the chances of BLUE ROCK DANCER. That horse had done a lot of work in the running, he said (3-wide early, parked, led 1200). Mr Dunn agreed.

Mr Dunn said that the leader had run up the track and the Respondent’s runner had run out. As she shifted down, her runner just struck the wheel of the leader. There was not a lot that could be said, he said.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Sole said that the Respondent had 98 drives in the season just concluded, and this drive was her first in the new season. She has a previous breach of the Rule on her record (at Addington on 27 July 2023).

The Penalty Guide starting point for penalty for a second breach is a 4-days suspension, Mr Sole said. The breach was low-level, he submitted. Having regard to that, a 3-days suspension would be an appropriate penalty, he submitted.

Mr Dunn pointed out that the Respondent had admitted the breach, which involved a slight error of judgement, he said. He added that the previous breach was almost outside the 6 months reset period.

After a discussion, and looking at upcoming meetings, the Respondent elected not to seek a deferment of suspension.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

This is the Respondent’s second breach of the Careless Driving Rule within 6 months. The previous breach was almost 6 months ago. The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (February 2023) provides a starting point, for a second breach, of a 4-days suspension.

This was a low-level breach in the view of the Adjudicative Committee. The Respondent had exercised some care prior to easing down from behind the leader, and had only slightly misjudged that movement. The contact was slight. It is unlikely that the punctured tyre had affected the chances of BLUE ROCK DANCER. Having regard to those matters, and to the Respondent’s admission of the breach, a discount from that starting point is appropriate. That discount is fixed at one day.

CONCLUSION:

Junior Driver, Alana Cameron, is suspended from after the close of racing on 7 January 2024, up to and including 16 January 2024 – 3 days.