NZ Metro TC 3 September 2021 – R6 – Ricky May

SUMMARY OF FACTS:

Following Race 6, Avon City Ford Mobile Trot, Mr May was charged with careless driving in that he allowed his horse, ZEALOUS SPUR, to strike the wheel of SIOUX PRINCESS (S J Ottley) near the 1700 metres resulting in his horse breaking for a distance.

EVIDENCE:

Mr Ydgren showed video replays of the first 200-300 metres of the race, a 1980 metres mobile start. He pointed out ZEALOUS SPUR, which had drawn barrier position 6, and SIOUX PRINCESS which had started from the unruly position in the 11-horse field.

He then showed that SIOUX PRINCESS had improved to the inside of and past ZEALOUS SPUR when Mr May restrained his runner and, in the process of shifting in, he misjudged the room available to him and made contact with the outside sulky wheel of SIOUX PRINCESS. As a consequence,  Mr May’s runner broke and lost some 15 metres before settling, Mr Ydgren said.

Mr May explained that he was unaware at the time that he had struck a wheel. It must have been “pretty minor”, he submitted, because he did not hear anything at the time but the video replay was clear, he said.

Mr Ydgren said that the incident had no effect on SIOUX PRINCESS.

REASON FOR DECISION:

Mr May has admitted the charge which is found proved

SUBMISSION FOR PENALTY:

Mr Ydgren said that Mr May had breached the Careless Driving Rule on 24 March last but that was 216 drives ago and, therefore, his record should be regarded as clear, that breach being outside the 200-drives reset period.

The present breach Stewards regarded as being at the lower end of the scale, Mr Ydgren said, which could be dealt with by way of a fine. He referred to the Penalty Guide starting point of a $300 fine. Mr May had admitted the breach at the earliest opportunity and has an excellent record, he said. There were no aggravating factors to consider, he said.

Mr May said that he was embarrassed by the breach which should not have happened but it was very low-end, he submitted. He suggested that he may have been being over-careful.

REASON FOR PENALTY:

The Adjudicator did not consider a suspension in this case. The starting point for a fine under the Penalty Guide is $300. That is for a medium-level breach. A starting point of $250 has been taken in this instance for a low-level breach.

Mr May is entitled to a discount from that starting point for the mitigating factors of his admission of the breach and his excellent record. There are no aggravating factors. The Adjudicator noted that Mr May has had 647 drives in the extended season prior to tonight’s meeting.

CONCLUSIONS:

Mr May is fined the sum of $200.