Otago RC 10 September 2021 – R5 – Sanu Toolooa

EVIDENCE:

Following the running of Race 5 the Stewards charged Mr Toolooa with a breach of r 638(1)(d) in that he permitted his mount RAZOR to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of KERANY which was dictated inwards crowding SANCTIFY near the 1000 metres.

SUBMISSIONS:

Mr Oatham demonstrated on the videos that Mr Toolooa jumped from barrier 5 and commenced an inwards movement. Mr Johnson, who was to his inside, had to take a hold and Mr Mudhoo was also briefly inconvenienced. Mr Oatham stated that RAZOR was tending to lug in and that the Respondent was riding forward quite vigorously. The side-on video evidenced Mr Toolooa was only 3/4 length ahead of Mr Johnson when he shifted.

Mr Moseley said he agreed with Mr Oatham’s description of the incident. He said in a couple more strides Mr Toolooa would have been clear. He said RAZOR does tend to lug in.

Mr Toolooa said RAZOR was wanting to get in on him the whole race. The horse was not an easy ride.

REASON FOR DECISION:

Mr Toolooa has admitted the charge and it is found proved.

SUBMISSION FOR PENALTY:

Mr Davidson said Mr Toolooa had three careless riding breaches in the past 12 months but none in the last six. The last was in February. Mr Davidson described the breach as low range and Mr Toolooa’s record as perhaps neutral.

Mr Moseley described the breach as low range.

Mr Toolooa did not disagree with the Stewards’ assessment of the breach and stated he wanted a deferment of any suspension in order to be able to ride at Riccarton on 18 September. The Stewards did not object to this.

REASON FOR PENALTY:

Mr Toolooa has shifted inwards too quickly when not clear. In so doing he has inconvenienced the Riders of the horses to his inside.

The breach is low range. The Committee takes a starting point of 5 days’ suspension to reflect this. This is the Respondent’s 4th breach of the Careless Riding Rule in the past 12 months. Any uplift for this factor is balanced by Mr Toolooa’s admission of the breach.

CONCLUSIONS:

Mr Toolooa is suspended from the end of racing on 18 September 2021 up to and including 25 September 2021. This is 5 days.