Canterbury JC 9 November 2022 – R8 – Megan Taylor

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 8, Champion Flour Premier, the Respondent Class B Jockey, Megan Taylor, admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d). The Information alleged that, as the Rider of SPINDLESHANKS in the race, she allowed her mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of MANHATTEN AFFAIR (Bailey Rogerson) which was hampered near the 300 metres.

The Respondent acknowledged that she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach. She was assisted at the hearing by Apprentice Jockey Mentor, David Walsh.

EVIDENCE:

Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, showed video replays of the final 400 metres of the race. He pointed out SPINDLESHANKS, ridden by the Respondent, racing midfield and behind runners as the field turned into the final straight. The horse was held up behind EXTREME POWER (Craig Grylls), before crossing the heels of that runner into the line of MANHATTEN AFFAIR (Bailey Rogerson) on its inside. That runner was only “battling” at the time, Mr Oatham said, but was hampered when Miss Taylor’s mount crossed it when only a bare length clear.

Mr Walsh said that the Respondent was clearly held up and decided to shift in where a gap was coming but, had she waited, a gap did come to her outside. She took the wrong choice, he said. The Respondent had seen MANHATTEN AFFAIR weakening and anticipated a gap would come earlier, Mr Walsh said. She was trying to be competitive and got unlucky.

DECISION:

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

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Miss Taylor does not have a great record, Mr Davidson said. It shows that the Respondent has recorded four breaches in the last five months – on 7 October at Timaru (low range, 5 days), on 25 September at Gore (low, 6 days), on 10 August at Riccarton (low/mid, 5 days) and at Timaru on 12 June (low/mid, 5 days).

The breach is low-level, Mr Davidson said. There was no run for the Respondent and, although Miss Rogerson’s mount was battling, she was entitled to be there. The Respondent’s record should be taken into account, but her admission of the breach was a mitigating factor, Mr Davidson submitted.

Mr Walsh said that the Respondent’s record does not look good, but her previous breaches have all been no worse than low/mid. This breach is also in the low range, he submitted. She does have riding engagements on the 3rd day of the meeting on 12 November

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Respondent has anticipated a run appearing and has shifted her mount inwards to take that gap. However, although her mount was battling, Miss Rogerson was entitled to be there and she has received minor interference.

The appropriate starting point for penalty for this low-level breach, as per the NZTR Revised Penalty Guide, is a 5-days suspension. The Respondent’s record for careless riding breaches, as set out above, is not a good one and is an aggravating factor. The starting point is uplifted by 2 days for that factor. It is a mitigating factor that the Respondent has admitted the breach and a 1-day discount from the uplifted starting point is appropriate

CONCLUSION:

The Respondent, Class B Jockey, Megan Taylor, is granted a deferment until after racing on 12 November 2022. She is suspended from 13 November 2022 up to and including 23 November 2022 – 6 national riding days.