NZ Metro TC 3 February 2023 – R7 – Richard May
ID: RIB15326
Animal Name:
ENGHIEN
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
03/02/2023
Race Club:
NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc
Race Location:
Addington Raceway - 75 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington, Christchurch, 8024
Race Number:
R7
Hearing Date:
03/02/2023
Hearing Location:
Addington Raceway, Christchurch.
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Driver Richard May is fined $300
Evidence:
Following the running of Race 7, Chief RIB Steward Mr Nigel McIntyre presented an Information alleging a breach of Rule 869(5) by Open Driver Mr Richard May.
Mr May confirmed that he was conversant with the Rule, he understood the charge and that he denied the breach.
Rule 869(5) provides:
(5) A driver shall trail with his horse’s head behind the seat of the sulky being trailed.
Mr McIntyre had Mr Renault identify Mr May on the video replay, to show his drive ENGHIEN, in fourth position just prior to the field entering the home straight, with a lap to go. He said Mr May was neither trailing the horse in front of him or racing in the one out position. He said the video evidence was enough to establish Mr May was half carting.
Mr May said the replay looks a lot worse than it was as when MATUA TANA improved from behind him, his hand slipped out of the near side hand hold making his shift outwards look abrupt. Mr May said he was never going to follow RACHMANINOV, and believed he was ¾ of a width out, not 1/2 on the evidence shown.
Mr May said it made no difference to the race as Mr O’Reilly (MATUA TANA), was heading to the parked position and wasn’t inconvenienced.
Reasons for Decision:
The front on camera has captured the incident clearly and is compelling evidence. Mr May stated “it does look like a bit of a half cart” and the Adjudicative Committee agrees with both him and the Stewards, it most definitely does.
Decision:
The charge was found to be proved.
Submissions on Penalty:
Mr McIntyre said Mr May was warned on the 25th of November under this Rule. He said Mr May’s record was clear and the Stewards assessed the breach as low range but reminded the hearing this race was a Group 3 event.
Mr May was surprised the race was a Group 3 and made no submissions on penalty.
Reasons for Penalty:
The new Penalty Guidelines, in play from 1 February 2023 provide a $400 fine, first breach, in a Group/ Listed race.
The breach is low level, no horse was directly affected by Mr May’s driving tactics and combined with Mr May’s record, a discount is afforded him from the $400 fine mid-range starting point.
Conclusion:
Driver Mr Richard May is fined $300.
Decision Date: 03/02/2023
Publish Date: 07/02/2023