NZ Metro TC 4 December 2024 – R8 (heard 15 December 2024 at Rangiora) – Riley Harrison

ID: RIB49425

Respondent(s):
Riley Elina Harrison - Apprentice Jockey

Applicant:
Paul Williams - Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Russell McKenzie

Persons Present:
Matt Sole - Stipendiary Steward, Riley Harrison and Gavin Smith - Open Driver

Information Number:
A20984

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Careless Driving

Rule(s):
869(3)(b) - Riding/driving infringement

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
Sir Monty

Code:
Harness

Race Date:
04/12/2024

Race Club:
NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc

Race Location:
Addington Raceway - 75 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington, Christchurch, 8024

Race Number:
R8

Hearing Date:
15/12/2024

Hearing Location:
Rangiora Racecourse, Rangiora

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Junior Driver Riley Harrison is suspended for 2 days

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 8, Gold Band Taxis Mobile Pace, Licensed Junior Driver, Riley Harrison, was charged that, as the Driver of SIR MONTY in the race, she “drove carelessly early in the run home, when striking the sulky wheel of MILLIES SENSATION (Robbie Holmes) which punctured”.

Ms Harrison having left the course, the hearing of the Information was adjourned on racenight and was heard at the meeting of Rangiora HRC at Rangiora on 15 December 2024.

Ms Harrison had signed the Statement by the Respondent on the Information form “I do admit a breach of the rule” and she confirmed this at the hearing. She was assisted at the hearing by Open Driver, Gavin Smith.

Rule 869 provides as follows:

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

     (b)  carelessly

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Matt Sole, showed a video replay of the final 200-300 metres of the race.  He pointed out MILLIES SENSATION, driven by Mr Holmes, the leader as the field turned into the final straight, being trailed by SIR MONTY, driven by Ms Harrison.

Mr Holmes was racing away from the pylons. Ms Harrison shifted her runner in, perhaps a little early, to take a passing lane run, Mr Sole said. He showed SIR MONTY make contact with the inside sulky wheel of MILLIES SENSATION. Mr Holmes reported to Stewards, post-race, that his sulky tyre had punctured at that point.

Mr Smith submitted that the contact had been minimal. Mr Holmes’ runner had rolled off the markers and Ms Harrison’s runner had taken the gap, because there was nothing in front of it. Ms Harrison still had a hold of it and had not “chased it into the lane”, he said.

DECISION:

The charge was admitted and is therefore deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Sole told the hearing that Ms Harrison has had 159 drives in the current season to date. She has one previous careless driving breach on her record – at Methven TC on 1 November 2024 (fined $400 for a mid-range breach). He referred to the Penalty Guide starting point for a second breach – a 3-days suspension. He added that, having to regard to the fact that Ms Harrison is a Junior Driver and has admitted the breach, a 2-days suspension would be an appropriate penalty.

Ms Harrison said that she wished any term of suspension to commence immediately.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

Ms Harrison has been trailing the leader and has taken the passing lane perhaps a stride too early and, in so doing, has contacted the sulky wheel of the leader, MILLIES SENSATION, driven by Mr Holmes, puncturing the tyre. The breach can be regarded as low-level.

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) suggests a starting point, for a low-level second breach, of a 3-days suspension.

There are no aggravating factors. Mr Holmes’ runner appeared to be commencing to weaken and, in fact, finished a long last, while Ms Harrison’s runner finished 8th. Mitigating factors to be considered are Ms Harrison’s admission of the breach and her Junior Driver status. She is entitled to a discount of 1 day from the starting point for those factors.

CONCLUSION:

Licensed Junior Driver, Riley Harrison, is suspended from after the close of racing on 15 December 2024, up to and including 22 December 2024 – 2 days.

Decision Date: 15/12/2024

Publish Date: 16/12/2024