Marlborough HRC – 16 January 2026 – Race 6 – Kyle Cameron

Following the running of Race 6, the Syncroflex Mobile Pace, Open Driver, Kyle Cameron, as the Driver of SPECIAL EDITION in the race, admitted a charge that he “drove carelessly passing the 900 metres by shifting in when not fully clear of ART JORDAN.

Rule 869 provides:

(3)  No driver in any race shall drive: – 

    (b) carelessly

EVIDENCE:

Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr Nigel McIntyre, showed the available video replays of the incident with approximately 1000m to run and identified Mr Cameron racing 3 wide and improving towards the head of the race. Mr McIntyre pointed to Mr Cameron shift inwards and into the racing line of ART JORDAN (C Dalgety) who had to check quickly which resulted in ART JORDAN pacing roughly for a stride or two. This incident instigated a concertina effect to the running line horses and as per usual the last horse, TIDY KIWI (R Holmes), was worst affected, breaking for a few strides.

Mr Cameron had nothing to add to Mr McIntyre’s description of the incident.

DECISION:

The Respondent having admitted the Charge it was deemed to be proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr McIntyre said Mr Cameron has a clear record under this rule and the Stewards view of the incident is at mid-range and a Penalty in line with the Guidelines would be appropriate.

Mr Cameron asked for deferment of penalty until after racing at Methven on the 25 January.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) provides a starting point for a first breach of the rule at mid-range, a fine of $500 or 2-day suspension. Mr Cameron had given his preference for a suspension over a fine.

The Adjudicative Committee found the shift by Mr Cameron into Mr Dalgety’s line was a mere misjudgment, however, the consequences were more profound as the running line horses all had to take hold resulting in Mr Holmes unable to avoid the backwash.

There were no other factors here to alter the breach from mid-range and accordingly find a 2-day suspension to be the appropriate penalty.

Deferment is granted.

CONCLUSION:

The Respondent, Open Driver, Kyle Cameron, is suspended for 2 days, from the conclusion of racing on the 25 January up to and including racing on the 1 February 2026.