Methven TC 30 November 2025 – R9 – Gerard O’Reilly

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 9, the Respondent Open Driver, Gerard O’Reilly admitted a breach of Rule 869(7A)(c); namely that “when driving ESMERALDA, he shifted inwards rounding the first bend placing SHE’S TOUGH and MISTY BLUE  in restricted room, with MISTY BLUE contacting several track makers in consequence.”

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

Rule 869(7A)(c) provides:

(7A) Every driver who moves inwards shall ensure:
(c) that the movement does not cause any other driver, horse or sulky to contact any track marker or protrude inside the marker line.

Using available video footage, Stipendiary Steward Matt Sole, with the assistance  of Stipendiary Steward Shane Renault, identified the horses involved in the incident namely, ESMERALDA, driven by Mr O’Reilly, racing 3 off the pylons with SHE’S TOUGH, driven by Riley Harrison, racing 2 wide with MISTY BLUE, driven by Sheree Tomlinson, racing on the pylons as they were rounding the first bend. Mr Renault pointed out Mr O’Reilly, shift inwards and put both SHE’S TOUGH and MISTY BLUE in restricted room and as a result, MISTY BLUE struck and went inside several pylons.

Mr O’Reilly elected not to make any submissions on the incident.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Sole produced the Respondent’s record, which indicated a clear record in all respects.  The Respondent, he said, has had 304 drives last season, with 281 drives so far this season.

Mr Sole stated that the Penalty Guide provided a $300 fine as a starting point for an initial breach of this Rule and submitted that a fine commensurate with the Penalty Guide be considered as penalty.

Mr O’Reilly made no submissions in regard to penalty.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Penalty Guide provides a starting point of a $300 fine for an initial breach of this Rule. There were no aggravating factors to consider, therefore no uplift was warranted.

The Respondent was given credit for his good record and admission of the breach, resulting in a $50 combined discount.

After evaluating all of the factors, the Adjudicative Committee determined a $250 fine to be an appropriate penalty.

Conclusion:

Mr O’Reilly is fined the sum of $250.