NZ Metro TC 25 August 2023 – R8 – Riley Harrison
ID: RIB26639
Animal Name:
Outamyway
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
25/08/2023
Race Club:
NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc
Race Location:
Addington Raceway - 75 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington, Christchurch, 8024
Race Number:
R8
Hearing Date:
25/08/2023
Hearing Location:
Addington Raceway, Christchurch
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Junior Driver, Riley Harrison, fined $250
BACKGROUND:
Following the running of Race 8, SENZ Handicap Trot, Junior Driver, Riley Harrison, as the Driver of OUTAMYWAY in the race, admitted a charge that she drove carelessly leaving the final bend when striking the sulky wheel of ONE OVER DA LINE (John Dunn) which punctured.
Rule 869 provides:
(3) No driver in any race shall drive:-
(b) carelessly.
The Respondent was assisted at the hearing by Open Driver, Ken Barron.
EVIDENCE:
Stipendiary Steward, Shane Renault, had Stipendiary Steward, Paul Williams, point out the two runners on video replays. Mr Williams pointed out OUTAMYWAY, driven by the Respondent, racing three places back in the one-out line, following ONE OVER DA LINE, driven by Mr Dunn, as the field neared the home turn.
Mr Renault showed that Mr Dunn drew out 3-wide, and the Respondent pulled out from behind him to mount a challenge 4-wide. He pointed out Mr Dunn “get awkward” in the sulky at that point. He showed, on a close-up and slow-motion video replay, the near front leg of Miss Harrison’s runner make contact with the outside sulky wheel of Mr Dunn’s runner and ride up to the stay. Mr Dunn’s runner was disadvantaged with a punctured tyre, Mr Renault said.
The Respondent’s runner did not break but continued in its gait, to finish in 4th placing (later disqualified for a non-related incident). Mr Dunn’s runner finished 7th, over 8 lengths from the winner.
Mr Barron said that the Respondent has had only 21 drives and has not previously been charged with any breach. OUTAMYWAY is a very difficult horse to drive, trotting roughly and inclined to run in and out, and has had numerous gear changes, Mr Barron said. It ran in in its previous start and, this time, it had a boring pole and ran out. It is necessary for a Driver to give him or herself more room in that situation, he said. Mr Barron asked the Adjudicative Committee to take those matters into account in considering penalty.
The Respondent added that she had been instructed to “drive in a bit closer”.
DECISION:
As the charge was admitted, it was deemed proved.
SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:
Mr Renault said that the Respondent is a first season Junior Driver. She has had 20 drives prior to tonight’s meeting. She has a clear record.
The Penalty Guide starting point is a fine of $300. He accepted that the horse was providing a difficult drive for the Respondent. He submitted that the chances of Mr Dunn’s runner had likely been affected.
A fine of $250 would be appropriate, Mr Renault submitted.
The Respondent did not wish to make any penalty submission.
REASONS FOR PENALTY:
The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (February 2023) sets a starting point for careless driving striking a wheel is a $300 fine. The Guide adds that “the consequences of this action go to penalty”.
This is a low-level breach with minimal consequences. It appeared that the chances of Mr Dunn’s runner were not significantly affected. There were no aggravating factors.
The Respondent has a clear record and has admitted the breach. Taking those factors into account, along with the breach being low-level, a discount from the starting point is appropriate. The Adjudicative Committee fixes the discount at $50.
CONCLUSION:
Junior Driver, Riley Harrison, is fined $250.
Decision Date: 25/08/2023
Publish Date: 28/08/2023