Cambridge JC 2 September 2021 – R6 – Sam Weatherley

SUMMARY OF FACTS:

Following the running of Race 6 (Group One Turf Bar 1300) Jockey Sam Weatherley was charged with careless riding.  It was alleged that he permitted his mount MARCHAND to shift out when not sufficiently clear of SAVEZ VOUS which was crowded, having to steady near the 300m.

EVIDENCE:

The Applicant called two witnesses Mr W Robinson and Mr C Grylls the Rider of SAVEZ VOUS.

Mr Robinson showed the relevant film replays and identified the horses involved.  He said that as they approached the 300m Mr Weatherley had no room to improve ahead.  He said that he then shifted out from behind EL-VENCEDOR (D Johnson) when only ¾ to 1 length clear of SAVEZ VOUS.  He said that Mr Grylls had to take a hold and could have clipped heels.  Mr Robinson added that EL-VENCEDOR may have contributed as it shifted out a little.  Mr Robinson also said that it was not the worst interference that you would see.

Mr Weatherley did not question Mr Robinson.

In answer to questions from Mr Jones, Mr Grylls said that he had been racing in front of Mr Weatherley and that his mount began to tire quickly near the 300m.

He added that when Mr Weatherley came out he had to ease for a stride.  He said Mr Weatherley’s mount was ¾ to 1 length clear when it shifted.  Mr Grylls said that the shift was not aggressive and that he only had to ease for a stride and then Mr Weatherley had gone.

In answer to questioning from Mr Weatherley, Mr Grylls said that he did not have to actually check, he took a hold for only one stride.  Mr Grylls said that he could not see if Ms Johnson’s mount had shifted.  In answer to a question from the Adjudicator, Mr Grylls confirmed that contact had not been made between the two horses.

Mr Weatherley then put his case to the Committee.  He said that he did come out and Mr Grylls only had to steady for one stride, and what happened was very minimal.  He said that you could see that Mr Grylls’ elbow changes for one stride only.  He said that he was dictated a little by D Johnson’s mount shifting out.  Mr Weatherley said that Mr Grylls had confirmed that he only had to steady for one stride.

SUMMATION:

Mr Jones said that there was not a run for Mr Weatherley and that he came out when only ¾ to 1 length clear at most.  Mr Jones believed that Mr Grylls had steadied three strides prior to the one stride identified by Mr Weatherley.  He closed by saying that it only takes one stride to clip a heel.

Mr Weatherley said that he is not a dangerous Rider and does not put people at risk.  He said if there had have been more interference he would have put his hands up.  Mr Weatherley said that Mr Grylls was stopping and that Ms Johnson came out in front of him and that the interference was very minimal and that was why he defended the charge.

REASON FOR DECISION:

On considering all of the evidence including the film replays of the alleged incident, the Committee made the following observation.  Near the 300m Mr Weatherley did shift out towards Mr Grylls’ mount when not sufficiently clear with Mr Grylls steadying for one stride.

At the time, Mr Grylls’ mount had come to the end of its run and was dropping back.  It was also observed that Ms Johnson’s mount did shift out and had made some minor contribution to the incident.  It was the opinion of the Adjudicator that the riding exhibited by Mr Weatherley only just constituted carelessness.

DECISION:

The charge of careless riding was upheld

SUBMISSION FOR PENALTY:

Mr Weatherley’s record showed two suspensions for careless riding had been imposed during the last 12 months, those being 23.01.21 – 4 days suspension and $400 fine, and 05.06.21 – 4 days suspension.

Mr Jones said that he had no argument that the careless riding was of a minor nature.

Mr Weatherley reiterated his earlier comments and asked for a deferment until after racing on 7 September 2021.

REASON FOR PENALTY:

The revised Penalty Guidelines which came into effect on 01.09.21 has a starting point for low-end careless riding of 5 riding days suspension.

Taking into account all matters in relation to penalty and in particular the low-end carelessness, it was determined that a discount from the starting point was justified.

CONCLUSIONS:

Mr Weatherley’s Jockey License was suspended from the end of racing on 7 September through to the cessation of racing on 10 September 2021 (3 days).