Levin RC 27 July 2024 – R5 – Leah Hemi

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 5, the Respondent Class A Rider Ms L Hemi admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that she allowed her mount to shift inwards after the start when not clear of KERETI, which was checked and clipped a heel.

The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

Using the available race films, Stipendiary Steward Mr Goodwin demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Soon after the start, from a midfield position, Ms Hemi allowed her mount to shift in approximately 1 horse width when not clear of KERETI, which could be seen to clip a heel.

In response, Ms Hemi said she felt her horse moved away from the horse to her outside, ridden by Ms O’Malley. She only moved in about about half a horse width, in her opinion.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Davidson produced Ms Hemi’s riding record, which showed the following breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months:

18/1/24      Riccarton – 4 day suspension (low range)

2/3/24        Otago – 5 day suspension (low range)

2/6/24        Otago – 4 day suspension (low range)

Ms Hemi has had 388 mounts in the past 12 months.

Mr Davidson said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range. Ms Hemi rides regularly in the South Island, so any period of suspension will be a genuine penalty for her.

Ms Hemi advised of riding engagements through until Saturday August 3rd and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

In terms of any proposed penalty, she said there were not many race meetings coming up and would prefer not to incur a fine.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Adjudicative Committee observed that while Ms Hemi did not make a substantive inward movement, her actions amounted to low-level carelessness, as a runner clipped a heel when she deviated approximately 1 horse-width from her line. Accordingly, a starting point of a 5-day suspension was adopted, in line with the NZTR Penalty Guide as of March 2024.

Considering the number of rides Ms Hemi has had in the previous 12 months, her riding record is treated as a neutral factor.

Balancing all factors, a 5-day suspension was deemed appropriate. To ensure consistency with penalties imposed in similar cases, a monetary penalty was added, due to the Listed status of the race. The Penalty Guide provides for fines to be added as a percentage of the Jockey’s share of the stake earned by their mount in any Black-type Race. The breach today occurred in the Listed Ryder Stakes, where Ms Hemi finished 2nd, earning a share of $740.

Therefore, in addition to the suspension, a fine proportional to her earnings in the race will be imposed.

Conclusion:

Ms Hemi’s request for a deferment  is granted and her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 days, commencing after racing on Saturday August 3rd and concluding after racing on Saturday August 10th 2024. In addition, she is fined $350.