NZ Metro TC 9 May 2025 – R4 – Sam Thornley

Following the running of Race 4, Woodlands Stud “All Star Five” Handicap Pace, Junior Driver, Sam Thornley, denied a charge that, as the Driver of BOUDICA, in the race, he “delayed the start by allowing his horse to make contact with the barrier strand”.

Mr Thornley, a Junior Driver, waived the right to be assisted at the hearing by an Open Driver.

Rule 858 provides as follows:

(1)   A driver must not:-

       (a)Delay the start.

Clause 17.2 of the Starting Regulations provides:

Once called into line the horses are to line up back from the tape and walk forward when instructed to under clear direction from the Starter.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward Paul Williams, had Stipendiary Steward Shane Renault, point out BOUDICA, driven by Mr Thornley, having drawn barrier position 1 of the three horses on the front row of the 2600 metres standing start race.

Mr Williams said that Mr Thornley had come into position. The mare then stood, before being allowed by Mr Thornley, to go forward and breast the barrier strand. The Starter required the field to come out of line and walk around, before coming into line again, therefore resulting in a delay to the start. Mr Thornley putting his foot back in the footrest, was not a sufficient effort to prevent the horse going forward, Mr Williams submitted.

Mr Thornley said that he had walked in with a leg out of the footrest, preparing for the start. The mare had “taken off” on him, he said, and he showed how he had replaced his foot in the footrest, to enable him to stop it going forward. He said that he had tried to restrain the mare. He denied that the horse has touched the tape and submitted that it was not necessary for the field to have been turned out.

DECISION:

The charge was found proved.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Adjudicative Committee was satisfied that Mr Thornley had allowed BOUDICA to walk forward and breast the tape, which was clear from the video evidence, resulting in the Starter requiring the field to reassemble, with a consequent delay to the start. The Starter was correct in requiring the field to do another circle.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Williams said that Stewards were seeking the penalty prescribed by the Minor Infringement Scheme – that is to say, a fine of $200.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Thornley has defended the charge of delaying the start, as is his right. The Adjudicative Committee has found the charge proved and finds, in determining penalty, no grounds for departing from the Minor Infringement penalty which Mr Thornley would have incurred, had he accepted the breach in the first instance.

CONCLUSION:

Junior Driver Sam Thornley, was fined $200.