Feilding JC 25 April 2025 – R1 – Bailey Rogerson

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 1, Apprentice Rider Ms B Rogerson defended a charge of careless riding, which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that she directed her mount EARLY BIRD outwards when insufficiently clear of FOU THE NOO, which was crowded and checked near the 400m.

Apprentice Mentor Ms K Clapperton 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.

Stipendiary Steward Ms L Selvakumaran used available race footage to demonstrate the incident, identifying the horses and Riders involved. She explained that as the field approached the 400-metre mark, Ms Rogerson shifted off the rail without being clear of Mr Pinn, who was positioned to her outside. This movement crowded Mr Pinn, forcing him across the heels of SOL DE OTONO (ridden by C Grylls). Ms Clapperton queried whether there was always a gap available for Mr Pinn, but Ms Selvakumaran maintained that Ms Rogerson was not sufficiently clear when moving outward.

Mr Goodwin, representing the Stewards, called Mr Pinn as a witness. Mr Pinn explained that he had been racing outside Ms Rogerson for some time before she shifted out, placing him in restricted room as Craig Grylls improved to his outside and the leading horse, ON ALERT, weakened. Ms Rogerson, travelling well in behind ON ALERT, moved out as the leader faded, which resulted in Mr Pinn being crowded. When asked by Ms Clapperton if he had overreacted, Mr Pinn responded that he was “reading the play.”

Reasons for Decision:

The Adjudicative Committee reviewed all evidence and replayed the race footage. They found that Ms Rogerson moved off the rail to avoid the tiring leader, but did so without being the required distance clear of Mr Pinn. While Ms Rogerson argued that there was space for Mr Pinn to move outward as well, the Adjudicative Committee determined that Mr Pinn was entitled to his run and that the interference would not have occurred, had Ms Rogerson not shifted out. The Adjudicative Committee concluded that, although the line between competitive and careless riding can be fine, the charge of careless riding was proven in this instance.

Decision:

The charge was found proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Goodwin presented Ms Rogerson’s riding record, noting one prior breach of the Careless Riding Rule within the past 12 months (9/10/24 at Waverley, resulting in a 7-day suspension). Ms Rogerson has had 322 rides over the past year. The Stewards assessed the level of carelessness as low. Ms Rogerson indicated she had riding commitments the following day and requested any suspension commence after that.

Reasons for Penalty:

The race footage clearly showed that, had Ms Rogerson not shifted outward, there would have been no interference to Mr Pinn. The Adjudicative Committee acknowledged that Mr Pinn may have exaggerated the incident by standing high in his stirrups, and found Ms Rogerson’s carelessness to be at the low end of the scale. In line with the NZTR Penalty Guide (February 2025), a starting point of a 5-day suspension was adopted. Taking into account Ms Rogerson’s good riding record as a mitigating factor, the penalty was reduced by one day.

A suspension of 4 days was imposed.

Conclusion:

Ms Rogerson’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days, commencing after racing on Saturday April 26th and concluding after racing on Saturday May 4th, 2025.