R Rotorua 10 May 2025 – R8 – Jasmine Fawcett

Evidence:

This charge arises from the running of Race 8 at the Rotorua Racing Club Meeting on Saturday 10 May 2025.  Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr J Oatham filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging that Class A Rider Ms J Fawcett (CHANTE MOI) permitted her mount to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear of KARMAN LINE (C Grylls) which was checked near the 300 metres.

Ms Fawcett admitted the breach.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

Using the available race films, Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr B Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned; namely CHANTE MOI (J Fawcett), and KARMAN LINE (C Grylls). He also identified BAK DA ANGEL, which was also involved.

Mr Jones showed on the film, that CHANTE MOI was travelling inside and slightly in front of KARMAN LINE. BAK DA ANGEL was travelling in front of, but on outside of both those two horses. Nearing the 300 metres, CHANTE MOI moved out, while BAK DA ANGEL continued straight. In moving out, CHANTE MOI took the line of KARMAN LINE, when not sufficiently clear.

Ms Fawcett explained that the field was moving wide to get better ground. BAK DA ANGEL straightened at that point, had it followed the rest of the field moving wide, there would have been room for KARMAN LINE and she considered this to be a mitigating factor. However, she did accept that she had moved outwards, when not sufficiently clear of KARMAN LINE.

Decision:

As Ms Fawcett admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Oatham submitted that Ms Fawcett has 4 previous breaches of the Rule within the past 12 months.  These being

5/11/24 – 6 day suspension

7/11/24 – 6 day suspension

12/12/24 – 6 day suspension

9/4/24 – 4 day suspension

She was a very busy Rider, with over 600 rides in the last 12 months, so her record with this breach being her 5th, would be considered as neutral.

The Stewards considered the careless to be in the low to mid range, which had a starting point of a 6 day suspension. However, it needed to be considered that it was in a Group 3 event.

Mr Oatham said that as the race was a Group 3 event, consideration also needed to be given as to whether a fine of a portion of the Rider’s fee, should be added to the penalty. The Stewards suggested a fine of 50% of the Rider’s fee could be considered. Mr Oatham noted that the stake for 4th was $5,000 and the riding percentage was $250. Mr Oatham left any fine to the Adjudicative Committee.

Ms Fawcett enquired whether it was possible to substitute a greater fine in place of all, or part of the suspension and was advised that this was not possible.

Ms Fawcett advised she had nothing further to add in relation to any proposed penalty and sought a deferment until after racing at Matamata on Wednesday 14 May 2025.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race films, the Adjudicative Committee determined that Ms Fawcett’s carelessness was low range and adopted a 5-day suspension as the starting point.

The available film, particularly the back on film, clearly showed that her mount moved out and took the line of KARMAN LINE. While BACK DA ANGEL straightened, which Ms Fawcett considered contributed to the check on KARMAN LINE, it was Ms Fawcett’s responsibility to ensure she was sufficiently clear of KARMAN LINE, before moving out.

From the 5 day starting point, the Adjudicative Committee applied a one-day up lift to take account of the Group 3 status of the race. Her record was considered to be neutral, so there was no uplift or reduction due to that factor. The Adjudicative Committee deemed a 6-day suspension to be an appropriate penalty.

In terms of a fine, the level of fines for careless riding in Group Races has varied from 0 to 50%, depending on the horse’s placing, the amount of the Rider’s fee and the status of the race. Many of the fines have been set at 25% and applied when a Rider has won the race (eg the Group1 Telegraph at Trentham). In this case, the race was a Group 3 event, CHANTE MOI ran 4th and the stake for 4th place was $5,000, with the Rider’s fee being $250. A 25% fine of the Rider’s fee would have been $60 and the Adjudicative Committee determined that a fine was not appropriate in this case.

Conclusion:

The Adjudicative Committee granted Ms Fawcett a deferment.  Accordingly, her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 National Riding Days, commencing on 15 May 2025 and concluding after racing on 24 May 2025 inclusive.