NZ Metro TC 14 March 2025 – R2 – Samantha Ottley

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 2, Book Now for Owners’ Night 28th March Mobile Trot, Open Driver, Samantha Ottley, as the Driver of MACHO MAN in the race, admitted a charge that she “drove carelessly near the 2100 metres when allowing her runner to strike the sulky wheel of A REASON TO FIGHT (Stephen McNally), which punctured”.

Rule 869 provides:

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

    (b) carelessly

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Paul Williams, showed the incident on a video replay. He pointed out A REASON TO FIGHT leading the field passing the 2100 metres. MACHO MAN driven by Ms Ottley, was trailing that runner. He then pointed out the near foreleg of MACHO MAN strike the outside wheel of the sulky of A REASON TO FIGHT.

Mr McNally reported to Stewards post-race that he had sustained a punctured tyre in the incident, but he did not believe that it affected his horse’s chances, Mr Williams said.

MACHO MAN finished in 3rd placing, with a margin of 8 lengths back to A REASON TO FIGHT in 4th placing.

Ms Ottley explained that the leader was “pulling up” so she intended to go up and around it, but it had got going again and she had directed her horse back in. She pointed out that a wheel is struck often in races and the tyre does not deflate on every occasion. This time it did, she said. She repeated what Mr McNally had said and referred to the margin between 3rd and 4th.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it was deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Williams said that Ms Ottley has had 201 drives to date this season and, in the 2024 season, had 839 drives. She is obviously a very busy Driver who has achieved some significant milestones recently, he said.

He referred to the Penalty Guide starting point, a fine of $300, and submitted that was an appropriate penalty for the breach.

Ms Ottley submitted that a $300 fine was steep for the breach, given her record and admission of the breach, and that there were no consequences to Mr McNally’s runner.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) suggests a starting point for a medium-level, first breach of a $300 fine, “the consequences of this action go to penalty”. Having regard to what Mr McNally told Stewards, it appears that there were no consequences that need to be taken into account. Accordingly, the breach may be regarded as low-level, for which a fine of $250 is appropriate.

The final penalty of a fine of $250 takes into account the mitigating factors of Ms Ottley’s good record under the Rule and her admission of the breach.

CONCLUSION:

Open Driver, Samantha Ottley, was fined the sum of $250.