Matamata RC 24 February 2024 – R2 – Sam Spratt

Evidence:

This charge arises from the running of Race 2.  Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging the Rider of TO CATCH A THIEF (S Spratt),“permitted her mount to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear of SMOKESHOW which was hampered and forced outwards crowding PROVENCE and DARCI’S ANGEL which were checked near the 50 metres”.

Ms Spratt 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 Mrs Selvakumaran demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

The incident that gave rise to the charge resulted in a protest by the third placed horse (SMOKESHOW) against the second placed horse (TO CATCH A THIEF).  Ms Spratt agreed the film evidence, which was presented by Stewards at the protest hearing, fairly demonstrated the breach.  In summary, the films showed that Ms Spratt allowed her mount, TO CATCH A THIEF to shift out 3 or 4 horse-widths nearing the 50 metre mark.  As a result, SMOKESHOW who was looking to run into a gap between PROVENCE on its outer and TO CATCH A THIEF on its innerj, was hampered and forced onto PROVENCE and DARCI’S ANGEL (who was on the outer of PROVENCE). All three horses were checked to varying degrees.

Ms Spratt said that she agreed with the Stewards’ interpretation of the incident and by way of explanation, stated that she heard the Rider on her inner (K Myers) call out to her and she shifted ground to ease the pressure.  In doing so, Ms Spratt thought that she only shifted out one horse-width.

Decision:

As Ms Spratt admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Jones submitted that Ms Spratt’s riding record is very good, with her having had one previous breach of the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, from 627 rides over that period. He said that her previous breach occurred on 1 March 2023 and resulted in a 4 day suspension, and it is of note that the previous breach resets in 5 days. But for this lapse, she would have had a clear record.

Mr Jones assessed the level of carelessness to be in the mid to high range due to several runners having received interference, which resulted in TO CATCH A THIEF being relegated from second to third placing.   He submitted that recognition should be given for Ms Spratt’s very good record and her admission of the breach.

Ms Spratt said that any proposed suspension could commence immediately.  She reiterated that the Rider on the fence yelled out, which initially contributed to her decision to shift out.  She thought that as a result of her shift, she only made contact with the horse on her outer, that being SMOKESHOW.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race films, the Adjudicative Committee determined Ms Spratt’s carelessness to be above mid-range and adopted an 8-day (suspension) as the starting point.

The available films clearly established that when TO CATCH A THIEF shifted out into the line of SMOKESHOW, Rider Mr Hashizume had to take significant evasive action to avoid the horses on his outer, namely PROVENCE, which was checked onto DARCI’S ANGEL.  They both lost considerable ground as a result of being checked.

From the 8-day starting point, a two-day reduction is applied for Ms Spratt’s admission of the breach and her riding record, which the Adjudicative Committee assessed as being excellent.  Rarely does a Rider maintain a clear record within a 12 month period. Particularly so given that she is a busy Rider, having had 627 mounts in the past 12 months.  However, due to her carelessness having resulted in the relegation of her mount from second to third place, a 1-day uplift is applied.

Therefore, after considering the above factors, the Adjudicative Committee deemed an appropriate suspension to be 7 (national) days.

Conclusion:

Ms Spratt’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 7 days, commencing after racing on 24 February 2023 and concluding after racing on 8 March 2024.