Canterbury JC 3 December 2021 – R1 – Meghann Gestain

SUMMARY OF FACTS:

Following Race 1, Rangiora New World Maiden, Class B Jockey, Meghann Gestain, was charged with careless riding in that as the Rider of JUSTANACE in the race, she permitted her mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of EMPRESS QI (Bridget Grylls) which was checked near the 650 metres.

SUBMISSIONS:

Ms Algar had Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, show video replays of the relevant part of the race, a 1200 metres maiden race.

Mr Oatham  pointed out JUSTANACE, ridden by Ms Gestain, racing in the rear group as the field crossed the junction prior to rejoining the course proper. He also pointed out EMPRESS QI, ridden by Bridget Grylls, racing to the inside of Ms Gestain and against the running rail. Ms Gestain shifted in and past Ms Grylls as the field rejoined the course proper, while probably only “a bare length at best” ahead of Ms Grylls, who had to check sharply, Mr Oatham submitted. The back straight video replay was shown and it confirmed that Ms Gestain was barely her own length clear.

Mr Pitman said that Ms Gestain had made an error of judgement when she shifted in. She thought her mount was travelling a lot better that Ms Grylls’. She had misjudged where the running rail was, coming across the junction, he said, and when the horse has seen the rail it has tried to go in.

REASON FOR DECISION:

Ms Gestain has admitted the breach which is found proved accordingly

SUBMISSION FOR PENALTY:

Ms Algar said that this is Ms Gestain’s fifth careless riding offence, going back to 11 February 2021 at Southland when she was suspended for 4 days and fined $250 (low/mid). On 10 April at Riccarton she was suspended for 5 days and fined $400 (mid-range), on 13 June at Timaru, she was suspended for 7 days (mid-high) and, most recently, at Ashburton on 8 July she was suspended for 10 days (high-end).

Stewards assessed the degree of carelessness in the present case as being above mid-range, Ms Algar said. Ms Gestain has had 181 rides in the last 12 months.

The Penalty Guidelines starting point for a mid-range breach is a 7 national riding days suspension, Ms Algar said.  That should be a minimum penalty, she submitted.

Mr Pitman agreed that Ms Gestain’s record is not good. He said that Ms Gestain did not seek a deferment, with Christmas racing coming up.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Committee agrees with the Stewards’ assessment of the breach as being in the mid-high range. Accordingly, a starting point of 8 days has been adopted in terms of the NZTR Revised Penalty Guidelines. Having regard to Ms Gestain’s poor record, this being her fifth careless riding offence in 10 months, this is a clear aggravating factor and that starting point is uplifted to 11 days.

The sole mitigating factor is Ms Gestain’s admission of the breach for which the Committee gives her a discount of 1 day.

The period of suspension will permit Ms Gestain to resume riding for the Boxing Day meeting at Wingatui. She was spoken to by the Committee and told that she will need to exercise more care when resuming, otherwise she will miss some of the busy Christmas racing programme.

CONCLUSIONS:

Class B Jockey, Meghann Gestain, is suspended for 10 national riding days, the term to commence after the conclusion of racing on 3 December 2021, to and including 23 December 2021.