NZ Metro TC 19 July 2024 – R3 – Hayden Douglas

EVIDENCE:

Following the running of Race 3, the Darren DeFilippi Memorial (Junior Drivers) Handicap Trot, Stipendiary Steward Mr Shane Renault presented an Information alleging a breach of Rule 869(3)(a) by Junior Driver Hayden Douglas.

Mr Douglas was assisted at the hearing by Open Driver Mr Brad Williamson.

Mr Douglas stated he was conversant with the Rule, the Charge and he confirmed he admitted the breach.

Mr Renault played the race video to identify Mr Douglas drawn unruly (1) on the front line of the standing start 2600m race. He pointed to DANCING GLENIS begin awkwardly and then gallop for a stride or two, before settling into a pace. Mr Renault showed the horse has followed the field for the first lap, until switching to the inside and making ground to be 4 back at the 400m. Mr Renault said at this juncture, Mr Douglas has driven with his whip drawn and improved up the straight to finish in 5th place, completely unaware his horse was in a pace.

Mr Douglas said this drive was his first raceday drive on a trotter. He said after his horse had settled from a tardy start, he wasn’t conscious that it was in a pace.

Mr Williamson said the mistake is obvious, but Mr Douglas is very inexperienced and prior to tonight, had only driven a trotter once at home and once in a workout.

DECISION:

The Respondent having admitted the breach, the charge was deemed to be proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Renault said Mr Douglas has had 37 drives lifetime before tonight and has a clear record under the Rule. He said the Stewards see the aggravating factor of the horse pacing for the entire race, resulting in disqualification, which he said requires an uplift from the starting point for a mid-range breach.

Mr Renault said he appreciates that Mr Douglas is inexperienced, however the standard of driving has fallen below what would be expected of a competent Driver.

Mr Douglas said he has a drive on Sunday at Addington and asked for any suspension to start after that day. Mr Douglas said he is based in Southland, but is trying to break into the scene in Canterbury.

Mr Williamson said there are Junior Driver races at Addington next month and Mr Douglas did pick up two drives here last week, one in an open race.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Penalty Guidelines provide a starting point of a 10-day suspension for a first breach of the Rule.

In this case, there is a major aggravating factor, DANCING GLENIS has paced all but 50m of the race and has subsequently been disqualified from the race.

Mr Douglas presented as genuinely remorseful and has been very frank he had no inkling his horse was in fact in a pace, which points to his total lack of experience with straight out trotters. Mr Douglas’ record, status as a Junior Driver and his admission, were tangible mitigating factors, which are considered.

To arrive at an apposite penalty which does not discourage Mr Douglas, the Adjudicative Committee has taken all 5 racedays, which are programmed to the 29 August in Southland. The Adjudicative Committee accepts Mr Douglas, in all probability, could have secured drives outside of Southland and allows three of the nine possible Canterbury racedays, in that timeframe, to be included in his suspension.

The Adjudicative Committee, after considering all submissions, finds an 8-day suspension appropriate in the circumstances of this case.

CONCLUSION:

Junior Driver Mr Hayden Douglas’ Licence to drive in races is suspended from the conclusion of racing on 21 July 2024, up to and including racing on 29 August 2024.