Manawatu RC 8 April 2022 – R2 – Lemmy Douglas

Mr Douglas admitted a breach of r 638(1)(d) in that in Race 2 he allowed his mount DREAM MACHINE to shift inwards near the 1100 metres when not sufficiently clear causing checks to SUBTLE POINT (M Singh) and HACKSAW RIDGE (L Allpress).

Mr Coppins demonstrated on the videos that the Respondent, who was racing mid-field, allowed his mount to roll inwards and, in so doing, checked Mr Singh who was crowded and had to take evasive action, inconveniencing the Jockey to his inside, Mrs Allpress. There was contact between the three horses as a consequence.

Mr Douglas said he had shifted into Mr Singh’s line, but he thought Mr Singh’s horse had over-reacted. He acknowledged he had made contact with Mr Singh and that he was not his length and another clear. He had heard yelling from Ms Allpress.

Ms Clapperton said the Respondent had seen the opportunity to improve when Mr Hannam had gone a length clear. When he had asked his horse to go, it had gone in. She said the horse was green and it was a sudden movement instead of gradual.

Submissions as to penalty

Mr Oatham produced the Respondent’s record. He said Mr Douglas had formerly been a Jumps Jockey and had only commenced riding on the flat in late November. There was one previous charge on 29 January at Trentham when the Respondent was suspended for 6 days for a mid-range breach. He believed this breach was above mid-range as there was significant interference and submitted an 8-day starting point was appropriate.

Neither Ms Clapperton nor Mr Douglas disagreed with Mr Oatham’s assessment of the gravity of the breach. Mr Douglas asked that the suspension commence after Easter Monday. Mr Oatham did not object to this.

Conclusion

The breach is just above mid-range. Both Mr Singh and Mrs Allpress received significant interference when the Respondent shifted inwards when not the required distance clear.

The starting point is 8 national days. Regard is had to Mr Douglas’ inexperience, his very evident remorse, his relatively good record, in that he has had 164 rides with only the one previous breach and has had 30 rides since that time, and his admission of the breach. A 2-day reduction is given for these factors.

Mr Douglas is suspended from riding from 19 April up to and including 28 April 2022.