Hawkes Bay RI 2 July 2022 – R5 (heard 16 July 2022 at Trentham) – Buddy Lammas

EVIDENCE:

Following the running of Race 5 at the Hawkes Bay meeting on 2nd July 2022, Mr  Oatham presented an  Information  alleging that Mr Lammas committed a breach of Rule 636(1)(b) in that he failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures on RITESAIDZED prior to retiring his mount from the race prior to the final fence.

The Information was adjourned to be heard today, 16th July 2022, at Trentham.  Mr Lammas denied the breach.

Rule 636(1)(b) provides that a Rider “…… must take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure his [or her] horse is given full opportunity to win the race or to obtain the best possible finishing place”.

SUBMISSIONS:

Mr Goodwin produced a vet certificate from  the race-day Veterinarian which states:

The horse was examined post-race on course following a poor race performance as instructed by the stipendiary steward. The horse was examined at 1.55pm on the 2nd July 2022 and all findings were within normal clinical limits. In my opinion the horse was found to have a short recovery period indicating that it’s level of exertion based on the 4000m steeplechase was less than normally expected.

Mr Goodwin played the films of the race which was run over 4000 metres and included 14 jumps. He explained that the Stewards had no concerns with the manner in which Mr Lammas rode during the first round of the race. He was happy to settle at the back of the field which is not unusual in a long steeplechase. At the double on the second occasion Mr Lammas lost some ground but was overall jumping proficiently. Mr Goodwin who was watching from the stand became concerned when Mr Lammas became further detached from the field, and when other Riders were “getting busy” Mr Lammas was doing very little. Over the last 900m Mr Lammas lost contact with the field by at least 10 lengths and it was only after jumping the 2nd to last fence in the race that Mr Lammas asked his mount for any effort. Mr Goodwin said RITESAIDZED was actually making up ground before being retired from the race prior to the final fence.

Mr Lammas had two questions of Mr Goodwin.

Firstly, did he think  the front runners had quickened down the back straight. Mr Goodwin agreed that they had but said Mr Lammas should have done more to go with them.

Secondly, Mr Lammas asked if the Stewards thought he should have pulled up earlier in the race. Mr Goodwin said no, there appeared to be no reason to do so.

Mr Lammas defended the charge on the basis that after the field jumped RITESAIDZED “wasn’t himself”. He had ridden the horse over hurdles once before on race day, and had also spent quite some time schooling him. RITESAIDZED normally raced forwards, was hard-mouthed and known to pull in its races. On this occasion the horse dropped back to last and did not pull. Mr Lammas had to use his voice and spurs to urge him along. In the back straight he hit one of the jumps, and at that point it did cross his mind to pull the horse up. Mr Lammas was concerned that if he pushed RITESAIDZED along there was a high chance of him falling.

Mr Lammas said he had a different style to other Jumps Riders because he had ridden for a long time as a Flat Rider, and it wasn’t his manner to hit a horse mid-race. The 2nd to last jump was RITESAIDZED’s best jump of the race but Mr Lammas elected to pull out prior to the final jump due to being well out of contention for a placing at that stage.

The next day Mr Lammas rung the Trainer Mr Duncan and was told that RITESAIDZED was a bit tired.

REASON FOR DECISION:

The films clearly show that RITESAIDZED raced at the rear of the field the whole way, and as the race progressed that margin continued to increase. At no stage prior to the second to last jump did Mr Lammas appear to make any attempt to make up ground on the rest of the field.

We have considered Mr Lammas’ concern over the wellbeing of the horse. He is an experienced Rider and familiar with the horse however Mr Lammas was obviously not sufficiently concerned to pull out of the race. Instead he continued on but dropped further and further back when the front runners increased the tempo.

The Rule says a Rider “must take all reasonable and permissible measures….” Mr Lammas told the Adjudicative Committee that he was using his spurs and voice to urge his horse on but the Adjudicative Committee was of the opinion that it was not unreasonable to expect Mr Lammas to also use his hands and arms to push forward. Even with his concern over the manner in which RITESAIDZED was travelling this is something he could and should have tried earlier.  Mr Lammas only changed his style briefly, a few strides after the 2nd to last jump, and the horse responded positively. This suggests that had he done so earlier in the race RITESAIDZED would likely have made up ground. The veterinary report post-race indicated the horse had not being exerted as expected in a 4000m race.

The Adjudicative Committee found the charge proved in that Mr Lammas made an error of judgment by failing to take all reasonable, permissible, measures to ensure the horse had full opportunity to obtain the best place possible.

SUBMISSION FOR PENALTY:

Mr Goodwin said the RIB Penalty Guide provides for a 6 week suspension for breaches of this Rule however the Stewards were seeking a 1 month suspension.  Mr Lammas has a clear record under this Rule.

Mr Lammas’ submission was for a lower penalty than the Guide due to the fact that Jumps Riders have a shorter and more limited season than Flat Riders. He said he had been riding for a long time and his record was excellent.

REASON FOR PENALTY:

A 6 weeks suspension is a starting point only. There were no aggravating factors requiring an uplift however there are mitigating factors. Mr Lammas has an unblemished record, having ridden for approximately 17 years and never been charged with a breach of this Rule.

The RIB Penalty Guide provides for different starting points for Jumps and Highweight Riders (Class D) when facing suspension for careless riding and whip breaches. This reflects the shorter season of approximately 6 months, and limited opportunities, compared to Flat Riders. The Adjudicative Committee has adopted a similar approach for this breach.

CONCLUSION:

Taking into account all factors, Mr Lammas is suspended for 3 ½ weeks beginning from the close of racing today and concluding close of racing Friday August 12th, 2022.