NZ Metro TC 2 May 2025 – R7 – Ricky May

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 7, the Respondent Open Driver Ricky May admitted a breach of Rule 869(3)(b); namely ” that when driving MAVIS JONES he allowed his drive to shift inwards shortly after the start checking inside runners being RATA (J Cox) and NELLIE DOYLE (J Morrison), with both horses breaking in consequence.”

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

Rule 869(3)(b) reads;

(b) No driver in any race shall drive carelessly.

Using available video footage, Stipendiary Steward Shane Renault with the assistance of Stipendiary Steward Vinnie Munro, identified the horses involved in the incident namely, MAVIS JONES, driven by Mr May, racing on the outside of RATA, driven by Jonny Cox, who had NELLIE DOYLE, driven by John Morrison, to its inside. Mr Munro showed on the replays that shortly after the start, Mr May shifted in when not clear of RATA, who was forced inwards onto NELLIE DOYLE, who was placed in restricted room outside the wheel of MUSCLE SASS, driven by Kimberley Butt. As a result, both NELLIE DOYLE and RATA broke, losing considerable ground. MAVIS JONES finished up in 4th place, with NELLIE DOYLE recovering from interference received, running on strongly to finish in 5th place. A subsequent protest by the connections of NELLIE DOYLE, resulted in the relegation of MAVIS JONES.

Mr May stated he did not initially see NELLIE DOYLE racing on the inside of RATA when this incident occurred, but when he did notice the situation, relieved the pressure immediately, concurring it was too late to prevent the tightening. He added that he had to deal with I DREAM OF JEANNIE driven by Sam Thornley, who was crossing in front of him at the time he was looking to relieve the pressure.

 Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Renault produced the Respondent’s record, which indicated a previous breach at Addington on 19 April 2025, where he received a $300 fine.  Mr May, he added, has had 246 drives to date this season.

Mr Renault stated that the Penalty Guide provided a 5 day starting point for a second offence, where a relegation is caused. He submitted that a 5 day suspension be considered as penalty in this case.

The Respondent made no submissions on penalty, apart from requesting that any suspension begin as soon as possible, after the Rangiora Meeting on Sunday 4 May, where Drivers were already declared and he had several drives.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Penalty Guide provides a starting point of a 5-day suspension for a mid range, 2nd breach of this Rule, where a relegation has been caused.

This Adjudicative Committee determined that the breach was mid-range, due to the effects and consequences to RATA and NELLIE DOYLE.

There were no further aggravating factors to consider, therefore no uplift was warranted.

The Respondent was given credit for his overall good record, considering the number of drives Mr May has had, as well as his frank admission of the breach, resulting in a combined discount of 1 day.

After evaluating all of the factors, the Adjudicative Committee determined a 4-day suspension to be an appropriate penalty in the circumstances of this case.

Conclusion:

The Respondent, Mr May, was suspended from the conclusion of racing on 4 May 2025, up to and including 14 May 2025. Relevant meetings encompassed in this period of suspension were Addington – 7 May, Addington – 9 May, Ashburton – 11 May and Addington – 14 May 2025.