Manawatu RC 11 December 2021 – R5 – Robert Hannam

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 5, Mr Hannam admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that R Hannam (Wild Moose) allowed his mount to shift inwards when not fully clear resulting in a fall.  

Mr Hannam acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his 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. There were three runners involved; Wild Moose (Mr Hannam), Satu Lagi (Mrs Allpress) and No Loitering (Mr Kauri).

Mr Hannam was the widest runner of the three horses involved. Established in a run to his inside was Mrs Allpress on Satu Lagi. Behind her and closer to the rail was No Loitering (Mr Kauri).

In an attempt to get closer to the running rail, Mr Hannam allowed his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of Satu Lagi which dictated Mrs Allpress inwards into the line of No Loitering who clipped a heel of that runner and fell, dislodging the Rider. Mr Goodwin said there was no outward movement from inside runners and Satu Lagi’s head was well up inside the rump of Mr Hannam’s mount confirming Mrs Allpress was established in that position.  Mr Goodwin’s estimation was that Mr Hannam was only 1 length clear of Mrs Allpress when he crossed her line of running. Mrs Allpress had no option but to take evasive action and as a result was dictated inwards into the line of Mr Kauri’s mount.

In response, Mr Hannam explained that prior to the incident he was looking to his inside, and in his mind he was clear of Mrs Allpress when he came across. She did not call out to him. Mr Hannam had Mr Dell attend the hearing to give his opinion of the incident. Mr Dell said from where he was in the race (which was out wide and behind when the interference occurred) it looked like Mr Hannam was clear of Mrs Allpress. He said Mrs Allpress had the opportunity to pull back but instead she turned her horse’s head inwards. When asked by the Adjudicator why she would do that Mr Dell replied “to move away from something”. Mr Dell had not seen any of the films of the incident but was conveying an opinion based on his observation during the race.

Mr Hannam said sometimes the angles of the cameras do not give the correct distances between horses and can be misleading. He thought this incident looked bad compared to what actually happened, and Mrs Allpress could have done a lot more to help the situation. He accepted that she was entitled to be where she was but suggested she could have taken a hold of her mount.

Decision: 

As Mr Hannam admitted the breach the Adjudicative Committee found the breach proved.

Submission for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Goodwin produced Mr Hannam’s riding record which he described as impeccable. Mr Hannam has had an 18 month break from riding and only returned in October this year. Mr Goodwin said Mr Hannam made a mistake today which has unfortunately resulted in a fall.

Mr Hannam submitted that Mrs Allpress had ridden her race and was entitled to do what she did but explained that Jockeys help each other out, and on this occasion Mrs Allpress did not to that.

Mr Hannam advised of riding engagements through until Saturday December 18th and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Adjudicator considered all submissions.  Video angles from the head, side and turn cameras along with Trackside footage were played with the head-on being the most descriptive. Mr Hannam admitted the breach and accepted that he was not the required distance clear of Mrs Allpress when he came across. He also accepted that Mrs Allpress was entitled to her line of running but maintained that she had another option, and that was to pull back. In respect to the charge of careless riding that is irrelevant. Mrs Allpress was entitled to be in her position and had no obligation to drop back. It was incumbent on Mr Hannam to ensure he was his own and another length clear before crossing, and in this regard he made an error of judgement. If Mr Hannam had been the required distance clear the incident would not have happened. No other horse or Rider contributed. The Committee assessed Mr Hannam’s degree of carelessness to sit just above mid-range.

The Penalty Guidelines provide for a 4 week starting point when a careless riding breach results in a fall, and this approach has been adopted today.  The following careless riding breaches involving falls all adopted a 4-week starting point although each incident has its own set of facts and circumstances:

20/3/21    S Spratt – 3 weeks

26/9/20    J Fawcett – 4 weeks

24/5/19    L Calloway  – 4 weeks

16/3/19    R Myers  – 3 weeks

Mr Hannam has only recently returned to riding after a long period away but his record prior was excellent. He is a Senior Jockey who does not have a history of riding carelessly. Today’s incident was a misjudgment, albeit with serious consequences. A Rider was hospitalised, and as a result will be some time away from race riding. While Mr Hannam admitted the breach he countered this by laying some responsibility on Mrs Allpress which was rejected by the Committee. The only mitigating factor is Mr Hannam’s exceptional record over a long period of time.  Balancing up all factors it was considered a 4 week suspension was an appropriate penalty.

The Adjudicator took into account the busy racing period over this time and reduced the penalty by one day to allow Mr Hannam to resume riding at the Premier Trentham meeting on January 15th.

Conclusion:

Mr Hannam’s request for a deferment is granted and  his Licence to ride in races is suspended for 4 weeks (less one day) commencing after racing on Saturday December 18th and concluding after racing on Friday January 14th.