Canterbury JC 17 September 2022 – R1 – Diego Montes de Oca

Following the running of Race 1, the Respondent Class B Rider admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of VITAL PERFECTION, he angled his mount inwards crowding and checking HEY MICKEY near the 250m.   

The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach. Michael Pitman, Licensed Trainer, was present to assist.

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 demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Stipendiary Steward Ms Algar said that approaching the 250 metre mark, the Respondent has angled his mount inwards when not clear of HEY MICKEY and as a result caused crowding and a check to that horse.

In response, the Respondent stated that he believed he was clear of HEY MICKEY but concurred, that after viewing the available films, he was not clear when shifting ground inwards.

Decision:

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

Submission for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham stated that the Respondent’s riding record was clear under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months.

The Respondent has had 204 lifetime rides.

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the mid to low range.

The Respondent did not seek a deferment to any proposed suspension.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent elected to make no submissions in regard to penalty, apart from any suspension to begin as soon as possible.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be in the low to mid range and accordingly adopted a 6-day (suspension) as the starting point.

The Respondent’s riding record is treated as a mitigating factor and in conjunction with the admission of the breach, a 1-day reduction was applied to the 6-day starting point.

After consideration of the above factors, a 5-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s  licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 days commencing after racing today 17 September 2022 and concluding after racing on 24 September 2022.