Hawkes Bay RI 13 December 2023 – R1 – Lisa Allpress

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 1, Mr Goodwin presented an Information charging Mrs Allpress with careless riding in breach of Rule 638(1)(d).

The Information alleged that Mrs Allpress permitted her mount “LA BELLA GRANDE” to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of ‘PERCYTHEPERINCANTO” which was crowded for a distance, and then continuing to shift in to check “SHANLORD” passing the 800 metres.

The race film depicted Mrs Allpress’ mount, when 4 horse widths out and seeking to advance to the lead at about the 700 metres point, moved inwards to crowd Ms Newman riding “PERCYTHEPERINCANTO”, when not sufficiently clear.  The movement, a shift inwards, continued to the 800 metres mark, crowds Mr J Doyle riding “SHANLORD”, as Mrs Allpress’ mount got to the lead.

Although 2 horses were hampered by the continuous inward movement of ‘LA BELLA GRANDE”, the careless riding in reality involved one continuous event of riding.

Mrs Allpress said that as she was “rolling forward”, she assessed the other two Riders were in fact allowing her to get to the front.  She admits that she may have miscalculated because she was momentarily distracted by pukeko birds on the inside of the track, but accepted that she inconvenienced Ms Newman by causing tightening when not sufficiently clear.  She said the check caused to “SHANLORD” was because she anticipated his allowing her to cross to lead, but she misjudged the extent she was clear.

Decision:

As the charge was admitted, it was deemed proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

The Informant submitted that the breach was at the “low end” even though 2 horses were hampered.  Mrs Allpress is a very busy Rider with only 2 suspensions since 19 January 2023.

Mrs Allpress accepted that a term of suspension was required but emphasised the significant difficulty that arises to Jockeys and Connections with the amount of racing to occur over the holiday New Year period.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Adjudicative Committee takes the guide of suspension for 5 National Riding Days as a starting point.  To recognise the very slight contributing factor of the birds’ distraction, and Mrs Allpress’ good record over very many rides this year, the term of suspension of the Licence to ride is fixed at 4 National Riding Days.

Conclusion:

Mrs Allpress is suspended for 4 National Riding Days, to commence at the conclusion of racing on 23 December 2023 and finish at the close of racing on 28 December 2023.