NZ Metro TC 24 October 2025 – R3 – Clint Ford

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 3, the Respondent Open Driver, Clint Ford admitted a breach of Rule 869(3)(b); namely “ that when driving MAROUBRA, he drove carelessly racing into the first bend when shifting ground inwards when insufficiently clear of SHEEP, which had to be restrained.”

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

Rule 869(3)(b) provides:

No driver in any race shall drive carelessly.

Using available video footage, Stipendiary Steward Mr Renault identified the horses involved in the incident namely, RIDGE (S O’Reilly), leading the field, with SHEEP driven by Samantha Ottley in the trail of that horse, with MAROUBRA, driven by Mr Ford racing to the outside of Miss Ottley, racing into the first bend near the 1700m.  Mr Renault demonstrated on the replays, that Mr Ford attempted to shift ground in to take up the trailing position behind the leader, THE RIDGE, and that when doing so, was not clear of SHEEP and as a result, Miss Ottley had to restrain her drive to avoid being forced down over the pylons.

Mr Ford stated that the horses were maiden trotters and that he was just attempting to take up the trail of the leader. He stated that these situations happened in races and Miss Ottley should have restrained to give him room to shift down to the trail.

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 clear record under this Rule over the prior 6 months.  The Respondent has had 6 drives last season, with 10 drives so far this season.

Mr Renault added that Stewards assessed the breach as low to mid range and submitted a penalty commensurate with the Penalty Guide be considered. Low range – a $300 fine or 2 day suspension, with mid range being a $500 fine or 2 day starting point. He added that Miss Ottley had reported, that the incident did not have any affect on her drive’s performance.

Mr Ford submitted that a suspension was preferred as penalty.  He also requested a deferment until after racing on 3 November 2025 at Kaikoura.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Adjudicative Committee determined that the breach was low to mid range.

The Penalty Guide provides a 1st offence low range breach – a $300 fine or 2 day suspension, with mid range being a $500 fine or 2 day suspension starting point.

After consideration, a suspension was deemed an appropriate penalty. There were no aggravating factors to consider, therefore no uplift was warranted.

After evaluating all of the factors, the Adjudicative Committee determined a 2 day suspension, commensurate with the Penalty Guide, to be an appropriate penalty.

Conclusion:

Mr Ford’s application for a deferment until after racing at Kaikoura on 3 November is granted.

His Licence is suspended from the conclusion of racing on 3 November 2025, up to and including 13 November 2025. Relevant race days included in this period are Addington on 7 November 2025 and Ashburton on 13 November 2025.