Non Raceday Inquiry – Written Decision dated 11 August 2025 – Robbie Crawford

The Information, filed by Stipendiary Steward Shane Renault, alleges that in Race 7, Maxia Digest Mobile Trot, at the meeting of NZ Metropolitan TC at Addington on 20 July 2025, Graduation Driver, Robbie Crawford, as the Driver of BEVRON in the race, “drove carelessly rounding the final bend, by shifting ground outwards when insufficiently clear, resulting in his runner becoming awkwardly placed between ALDEBARAN CRYSTAL (Blair Orange) and GINAS MAJESTY (Tim Williams), before breaking”.

The charge was heard at the meeting of NZ Metropolitan TC at Addington Raceway on 8 August 2025. Mr Renault presented an Authority to Charge, pursuant to Rule 1108(2), signed by the Chief Executive of the Racing Integrity Board.

Mr Crawford was present at the hearing and he indicated that the charge was admitted.

Rule 869 provides as follows:

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

       (b)  carelessly.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward Matt Sole, showed video replays of the race between the 600 and 200 metres. He pointed out BEVRON, driven by Mr Crawford, racing four places back, and second-to-last, in the eight-horse field, passing the 600 metres.

Mr Sole pointed out that Mr Crawford began to attempt to shift outwards. At the time, he did not have a clear advantage over the runners to his outside and, therefore, was not in a position to make that move. In attempting that run, he became awkwardly placed between GINA’S MAJESTY, which was retreating, and ALDEBARAN CRYSTAL, which was improving to his outside. As a result, his runner struck the sulky of GINA’S MAJESTY and broke, losing all chance.

Mr Crawford said that the horse in front of him, GINA’S MAJESTY, was galloping and had come back on him. He had not been trying to push ALDEBARAN CRYSTAL out, he said. However, he should not have been where he was, he said.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Sole said that Mr Crawford’s horse had galloped and lost all chance and therefore, Stewards deemed the breach to be high level.

The Penalty Guide starting point for such a breach is a 3-days suspension, and that is the penalty that Stewards were seeking, Mr Sole said.

Mr Crawford said that he would like a deferment of any suspension until after the meeting of Kurow HRC on 17 August 2025.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Adjudicative Committee noted that Mr Crawford is an infrequent Driver. He has had only two drives this season, and two last season, 101 drives in the last 35 years. He is currently driving BEVRON, of which he is a part-owner and which is racing regularly.

The Adjudicative Committee agrees with the assessment of Stewards, that the breach is a high-level one. Mr Crawford has allowed his runner to improve into a gap that was not fully there and, as a result, his horse has galloped and lost all chance. He has driven carelessly.

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) provides a starting point for penalty for a first careless driving breach, high-level, of a 3-days suspension.

There are no relevant aggravating or mitigating factors and a penalty of 3-days, as per the Penalty Guide, is appropriate.

CONCLUSION:

Mr Crawford’s application for a deferment is granted. His Graduation Driver’s Licence is suspended from after racing at Kurow HRC on 17 August 2025, up to and including 29 August 2025 – 3 days.