NZ Metro TC 21 March 2025 – R11 – Craig Thornley

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 11, Fahey Skips Mobile Pace, Open Driver, Craig Thornley, as the Driver of PENNY WEIGHT in the race, admitted a charge that he “drove carelessly racing into the first bend when shifting ground inwards when insufficiently clear, checking inside runners”.

Mr Thornley attended the hearing, but sought leave of the Adjudicative Committee to excuse his remaining, as the hearing was after the final race and he had horses to attend to. The Adjudicative Committee had him confirm that he understood and admitted the charge and that the likely penalty had been explained to him by Stewards.

Rule 869 provides:

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

    (b) carelessly

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Shane Renault, showed video replays of the relevant part of the race, approximately 300 metres after the start of the 1980 metres mobile start race. He pointed out PENNY WEIGHT, driven by Mr Thornley, racing 4-wide outside of JAY R TOLKIEN (Murray Howard). To the inside of that runner was RENALDO and, on its inside, was MAJOR HENRY (Hayden Douglas).

Mr Renault said that Mr Thornley was crossing from a 4-wide position with three runners on his inside, but had come across too far, was simply not clear, and the inside runners had run out of room. He had dictated JAY R TOLKIEN down onto RENALDO, which was badly checked and Mr May unbalanced in the sulky, and onto MAJOR HENRY, which was also checked. Mr Renault pointed out that JAY R TOLKIEN was always inside PENNY WEIGHT, and had run out of room. Three runners had received interference to varying degrees, he said.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, was deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Renault said that Mr Thornley has had 38 drives this season and, in the 2024 season, 218 drives. He has an excellent record. Stewards saw the breach as being mid-level. Interference had been caused and runners affected, but no runner had lost its chance. The Penalty Guide starts with a $500 fine or a 2-days suspension. Mr Thornley has asked for a suspension and Stewards were submitting for a 2-days suspension, Mr Renault said.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

Although the incident looked bad, it appeared that no runner had its chances extinguished. The Adjudicative Committee noted that RENALDO had won the race. The Adjudicative Committee accepts Mr Renault’s assessment of the carelessness as being mid-level.

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) suggests a starting point for a first, mid-level breach, of a $500 fine or a 2-days suspension. There are no relevant aggravating or mitigating factors to be considered and, accordingly, there is no need to depart from the Penalty Guide starting point.  A 2-days suspension is appropriate.

CONCLUSION:

Open Driver, Craig Thornley, is suspended from after the close of racing on 21 March, up to and including 28 March 2025 – 2 days. The Adjudicative Committee was informed that Mr Thornley had no drives at the meeting of Waimate TC on 23 March.