Methven TC 10 September 2023 – R8 – Jordan Simpson

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 8, the Respondent, Junior Driver Jordan Simpson, admitted a breach of Rule 869(3)(b) in that when driving  TOWER OF LOVE he drove carelessly near the 1200m when striking the wheel of GET IT ON.

The Respondent endorsed the Information ‘I do admit the breach of the Rule’ and confirmed he understood the Rule and the nature of the charge.

Mr Simpson informed the Adjudicative Committee that he did not require assistance at the hearing.

Rule 869(3)(b) provides:

No driver in any race shall drive carelessly.

Using available video footage, Stipendiary Steward Matthew Sole identified the horses involved in the incident namely, TOWER OF LOVE, driven by Mr Simpson racing 6 back on the pylons and trailing GET IT ON, driven by Sheree Tomlinson.  Mr Sole pointed out on the films, that nearing the 1200m, Mr Simpson has allowed his horse to get too close to GET IT ON and as a result, TOWER OF LOVE has struck the sulky of GET IT ON and broken, losing all chance.

Mr Simpson elected to make no comments in regard to the incident.

Decision:

The charge is admitted by the Respondent and is therefore deemed proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Sole stated that Mr Simpson has had 45 lifetime drives and has a clear penalty record. Mr Sole stated that the breach was mid-range due to the consequences to TOWER OF LOVE, who broke and lost all chance. He said the Penalty Guide provided a 3 day suspension for a mid range 1st offence breach of this Rule, and submitted that a 3 day suspension be considered as penalty in this case.

The Respondent submitted that he did not seek a deferment of suspension, requesting any suspension start as soon as possible.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Penalty Guide provides a penalty starting point of a 3-day suspension for a mid-range breach of this Rule.

The Adjudicative Committee agreed with the Steward’s assessment that the breach was mid-range, due to the consequences on TOWER OF LOVE. There were no aggravating factors to consider, therefore no uplift in penalty warranted. The Adjudicative Committee therefore determined there was no compelling reasons to defer from the 3-day starting point, and deemed a 3-day suspension an appropriate penalty in this case.

Conclusion:

The Respondent, Mr Simpson’s Licence to drive is suspended, commencing after racing today, 10 September 2023, up to and including racing on 21 September 2023. Meetings encompassed in this period of suspension are Addington – 15 September, Oamaru – 17 September and Addington – 21 September 2023.