NZ Metro TC 22 June 2025 – R4 – Kaleb Bublitz

Following the running of Race 4, Chats Bar & Café – New Brighton Trot, Licensed Junior Driver, Kaleb Ian Bublitz, admitted a charge that, as the Driver of THE MERC in the race, he “drove carelessly near the 300 metres when striking the sulky wheel of PETITE TRIXTON (Kimberly Butt), which resulted in his drive breaking, losing all chance”.

Rule 869 provides as follows:

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

     (b)  carelessly

EVIDENCE:

Trainee Stipendiary Steward, Maja Szukiel-Deans, showed a video replay of the incident with approximately 300 metres to run. She pointed out the two runners involved – PETITE TRIXTON, driven by Kimberly Butt, racing three places back in the one-out line in the 8-horse field, and THE MERC, driven by Mr Bublitz, racing in last position on the back of PETITE TRIXTON.

Mrs Szukiel-Deans pointed out that Ms Butt drew her runner out to make a run, approaching the home turn. Mr Bublitz then eased his runner out to the outside of Ms Butt and, in doing so, the near front leg of his runner struck the outside sulky wheel of Ms Butt’s runner. THE MERC immediately broke and galloped out of contention. The Adjudicative Committee noted that the horse finished in last placing, over 50 lengths from the winner.

Mr Williamson pointed out that Ms Butt had made a movement outwards, perhaps wider than she needed to have done, and Mr Bublitz had not simply run into her.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mrs Szukiel-Deans said that Mr Bublitz has had 12 drives this season and 217 lifetime drives. He has a clear record.

It was an aggravating factor that his horse had broken and lost all chance, she said. Mitigating factors were his clear record and his Junior Driver status.

Stewards were submitting for a $300 fine or a 2-days suspension, Mrs Szukiel-Deans said. She believed that Mr Bublitz would prefer a fine. Mr Williamson stressed that Mr Bublitz was not a busy Driver.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) suggests a starting point of a fine of $300 for careless driving striking a wheel and adds “the consequences of this action go to penalty”. The consequences, in this instance, were that THE MERC, driven by Mr Bublitz, broke when coming into the race, and lost all chance. The consequences warrant an uplift to the Penalty Guide starting point. However, having regard to the Respondent’s clear record, his frank admission of the breach and his Junior Driver status, the Adjudicative Committee considers that a fine of $300, in this case, is a fitting penalty.

CONCLUSION:

Licensed Junior Driver, Kaleb Bublitz, is fined the sum of $300.