Otago RC 4 November 2025 – R1 – Corey Campbell

Mr Davidson alleged that Mr Campbell rode carelessly in Race 1 in that he permitted his mount LEVITATE to shift inwards, dictating CAPTAIN DAVO and SCHNELL inwards, which resulted in HAPPY STORY being crowded and checked near the 1500 metres.

Miss Haley demonstrated on the videos that Mr Campbell, who had drawn a wide barrier, shifted inwards shortly after the start when not clear and, in so doing, dictated CAPTAIN DAVO and SCHNELL inwards, which resulted in HAPPY STORY being crowded and checked. The side-on video demonstrated that Mr Campbell was only a bare length clear when he came across.

Miss Haley pointed out that Miss Comignaghi (QUISIERA), who started from the widest barrier, was to Mr Campbell’s outside had initially dictated Mr Campbell inwards, but she had straightened her horse.

Mr Davidson added that this may have initiated the inwards movement by LEVITATE, but Mr Campbell had continued to shift in, whereas Miss Comignaghi had not.

Mr Campbell said LEVITATE had shifted in when Miss Comignaghi came across. LEVITATE had tried to run away from QUISIERA. He accepted he had continued to shift in. He said there was yelling, but he believed it was too late as the crowding had occurred by then.

Decision 

As Mr Campbell has admitted the breach, it is found to be proved.

Submissions as to Penalty

Mr Davidson produced the Respondent’s record, which showed 3 breaches of this Rule in the past 12 months. Two were on the same day in early March and there was another at Kumara in January. Mr Campbell has had 129 rides since his previous breach.

Mr Davidson described the breach as low to mid-range.

Mr Campbell stated he accepted Mr Davidson’s submissions and wished the suspension to start immediately.

Reasons for Penalty

Mr Campbell has shifted ground inwards shortly after the start, when not his length and another clear of the Riders to his inside. These Riders were dictated inwards and HAPPY STORY was crowded and checked. A mitigating factor is the fact that LEVITATE initially shifted away from QUISIERA. However, Mr Campbell was aware his mount was shifting ground and continued to move inwards, knowing there were horses to his inside.

The consequences of the breach are high in that a number of horses were affected, but it is correctly categorised as a low to mid-range breach, because of the initial movement from Miss Comignaghi. From a 6-day starting point, there is a one-day reduction for admission of the breach and Mr Campbell’s record, which considering the fact he is a busy South Island Rider and has had a significant number of rides since his previous breach some 6 months ago, can be considered favourably.

Conclusion

Mr Campbell is suspended from the end of racing today, up to and including Tuesday 11 November 2025. This is 5 national riding days.