Otago RC 30 November 2025 – R5 – Kendra Bakker

BACKGROUND

Following the running of Race 5, Class B Rider Kendra Bakker admitted a breach of Rule 638(1)(d) in that she permitted her mount, TAP ‘N’ GO, to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear of MAXIMUS AUGUSTUS (ridden by T Comignaghi), which was checked near the 150 metre mark.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides:

A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

At the start of the hearing, Ms Bakker confirmed her admission of the breach and that she understood the Rule and the nature of the charge.

Ms Bakker was assisted by Apprentice Jockey Mentor, Jason Laking.

EVIDENCE

Senior Stipendiary Steward Mark Davidson invited his colleague, Rebecca Haley, to use the available race videos to illustrate the alleged breach. Ms Haley identified the Respondent, riding TAP ‘N’ GO, challenging in a 3 wide position midway through the home straight. Behind and to the outside of Ms Bakker was Ms Comignaghi, riding MAXIMUS AUGUSTUS.

Ms Bakker was shown using her whip three times in the approach to the 150 metre mark. During this stage of the race, TAP ‘N’ GO drifted out and checked MAXIMUS AUGUSTUS, causing Ms Comignaghi to take hold.

Ms Haley said Ms Bakker had not attempted to straighten her mount, and was barely her own length clear when she came out onto Ms Comignaghi.

MAXIMUS AUGUSTUS finished in 6th place, beaten 5.5 lengths.

Ms Bakker accepted she had used the whip as TAP ‘N’ GO was laying out, and had not straightened her horse in time.

DECISION

As Ms Bakker has admitted the breach, it is found to be proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY

Stewards produced the Respondent’s record, which showed three previous breaches of the Rule within the 12-month period before a reset applies. Two of the previous breaches were found to be low range examples of careless riding; the other breach was found to be in the low to mid-range.

Ms Bakker was riding at the Cromwell meeting under a deferment of her suspension from her most recent careless riding breach at Winton, on 23 November 2025.

Mr Davidson said that any suspension would have to commence after Ms Bakker had completed her 5-day suspension for the Winton breach, which was due to begin after today’s meeting and extend up to and including 7 December 2025.

Stewards assessed this latest breach as being low to mid-range. The Racing Integrity Board’s Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide suggested a suspension of 6 national riding days as a starting point in such circumstances.

Mr Davidson said Stewards did not consider Ms Bakker’s careless riding record to be an aggravating factor, but with this being her fourth breach in 12 months she could not, in the Stewards’ view, claim any credit for her record.

Ms Bakker had had 144 rides in the last 12 months, with some time off to recover from injuries. In response to a question from the Adjudicative Committee, Mr Davidson confirmed that the Respondent had had 81 rides since her breach prior to her riding carelessly at Winton last weekend. He described Ms Bakker as “a busy, sought-after Rider.”

Stewards submitted that Ms Bakker should receive credit for her admission of this breach.

Mr Laking submitted that Ms Bakker’s careless riding on this occasion should be considered low-range. She had allowed TAP ‘N’ GO to roll out and had been a little late in straightening him up. Mr Laking said he did not believe the incident cost Ms Comignaghi a higher placing. He submitted that a suspension of four to five days would be appropriate.

REASONS FOR PENALTY

The Respondent allows her horse to drift out under whip riding and impede Ms Comignaghi. Ms Bakker does not attempt to straighten TAP ‘N’ GO until after she has checked MAXIMUS AUGUSTUS.

Ms Comignaghi is impeded for three to four strides as a result of Ms Bakker’s carelessness. MAXIMUS AUGUSTUS appears, on the video evidence, to be battling (albeit gamely) just prior to the incident. In finishing 6th, MAXIMUS AUGUSTUS is 1.8 lengths behind the horse that finished in 5th place.

The Adjudicative Committee assesses the level of carelessness to be low to mid-range. The Penalty Guide suggests a suspension of 6 national riding days as a starting point for breach found to be at this level. The Adjudicative Committee adopts this as the starting point.

Despite being about to serve a 5-day suspension for careless riding the previous weekend, the Adjudicative Committee, by a fine margin, does not consider the Respondent’s record under the Rule to be an aggravating factor. Ms Bakker is a busy Apprentice Jockey who has had 81 rides since her penultimate breach of the Rule in mid-September of this year. In weighing this element, the Adjudicative Committee also notes that none of her previous breaches are beyond a low to mid-level degree of seriousness.

Ms Bakker’s admission of the breach is a mitigating factor, for which she is afforded a 1-day reduction in her period of suspension. This brings the length of her suspension to 5 days.

Ms Bakker was riding at today’s Otago meeting under deferment of a careless riding suspension, due to take effect from 1 December to 7 December 2025 (inclusive). The penalty for this breach of the Rule will therefore take effect after the preceding suspension has been served.

CONCLUSION

Apprentice Jockey Kendra Bakker’s Licence to ride in races is suspended from 8 December to 14 December 2025 (inclusive). This is 5 national riding days.