Invercargill HRC 21 April 2024 – R4 – Tim Williams
ID: RIB41307
Animal Name:
MIKI BENNETT
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
21/04/2024
Race Club:
Invercargill Harness Racing Club
Race Location:
Ascot Park Raceway - 29 Findlay Road, Ascot, Invercargill, 9810
Race Number:
R4
Hearing Date:
21/04/2024
Hearing Location:
Invercargill
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Driver Tim Williams is fined $250
Miss Haley alleged that Mr Williams (MIKI BENNETT) drove carelessly in Race 4 in that near the 1000 metres, he shifted ground inwards when insufficiently clear of BETTER BE WATCHING, which was hampered.
Mr Renault identified the relevant horses on the videos. MIKI BENNETT had been racing for a distance 3-wide without cover, before Mr Williams eased the horse into a gap that had formed between the one out horse TABASCO and the one out one back horse, BETTER BE WATCHING. The gap was not fully there and as a consequence, Mr Cox had to take hold of BETTER BE WATCHING and lost his position to Mr Williams.
Mr Williams said he did not disagree with anything Mr Renault had said. He emphasised, however, that BETTER BE WATCHING had tired and Mr Cox had not run in the money. The horse had finished last, whereas he had won the race.
Decision
As Mr Williams has admitted the breach, it is found to be proved.
Submissions as to Penalty
Miss Haley produced the Respondent’s record which shows that Mr Williams has had 268 drives this season and 526 the last. He has had 6456 lifetime drives. He is a very busy Driver, and his record is clear under this Rule. Miss Haley described the breach as low end.
Mr Williams reiterated that while Mr Cox had to restrain his horse, it had no consequence on the finishing position of the horse. He believed he would have got the one out position eventually, as BETTER BE WATCHING had weakened. He said the Adjudicative Committee should have regard to his outstanding record.
Reasons for Penalty
The breach is low-range. Mr Cox has had to restrain his horse, but BETTER BE WATCHING eventually weakened out of the finish of the race. The obvious aggravating factor is that Mr Williams got a favoured position in the race as a result of the breach.
The Penalty Guide provides a starting point of a fine of $300 for a first such breach. There is a $50 uplift for this aggravating factor and a $100 discount for Mr Williams’ record under this Rule, which is very good having regard to the fact he is a busy Driver, and his admission of the breach.
Conclusion
Mr Williams is fined the sum of $250.
Decision Date: 21/04/2024
Publish Date: 24/04/2024