R Rotorua 21 November 2023 – R7 – Ace Lawson-Carroll

Evidence

This charge arises from the running of Race 7, the Greenlight Insurance Brokers 1400 metres.  Stipendiary Steward Mr Dooley filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging the Rider of DROP OF SOMETHING (Apprentice Rider A Lawson-Carroll), permitted his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of MARMAC BOY (M Cameron), which was hampered and forced on to KHUTULUN KHAN (S Weatherley), which was checked near the 150 metres.

Mr Lawson-Carroll acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach. He was assisted at the hearing by Mr N Harris (Rider Mentor).

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.

Mr Jones pointed out that approaching the 150 metres, Mr Lawson-Carroll commenced to shift inwards and continued to ride forward with the whip.  In doing so, MARMAC BOY was inconvenienced due to outward pressure placed on it and was forced on to KHUTULUN KHAN, who was checked.  Mr Jones said that there was a clear run available for KHUTULUN KHAN, who put pressure on to the runner to its inside. He added that DROP OF SOMETHING was never any more than one length clear of MARMAC BOY at the time of the inward shift.

In response, Mr Harris said the incident was “clear cut” and although Mr Lawson-Carroll tried to straighten his mount, it was too late.

Decision

As Mr Lawson-Carroll admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proved.

Submissions for Penalty

Mr Dooley produced Mr Lawson-Carroll’s riding record which indicated 5 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, from 319 rides. He said that his most recent two breaches occurred on 5 August 2023 and resulted in suspensions of 6 and 9 days respectively.  Mr Dooley submitted that Mr Lawson-Carroll’s poor record is of concern, given he is a relatively inexperienced Apprentice Rider.

Mr Dooley said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be at least in the mid-range, given that two horses were affected and submitted that any proposed suspension should be commensurate with a mid-range penalty.

Mr Lawson-Carroll sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing on 25 November 2023. On behalf of Mr Lawson-Carroll, Mr Harris submitted that “he has come a long way and is an improving Apprentice but continues to take risks and he is not quite calculating those risks”.

Reasons for Penalty

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race film, the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr Lawson-Carroll’s carelessness to be in the mid-range and adopted a 7-day starting point.

The available films clearly place Mr Lawson-Carroll’s level of carelessness in the mid-range.  Two horse were affected by the inward shift. Another runner, CHANTARI BAY, appeared to have been slightly inconvenienced, but was weakening at the time and therefore its chances were not unduly impacted by the incident.

Mr Lawson-Carroll’s overall record is assessed as poor.  This is his sixth careless riding breach in less than 12 months, and he has also had the benefit of five ‘warnings’ for shifting ground (careless riding).  Over that period, he has had 319 race rides.  His ratio of careless riding breaches to rides, is of concern. Mr Harris quite correctly pointed out that Mr Lawson-Carroll is taking risks that are not well calculated.  No doubt Mr Harris will provide Mr Lawson-Carroll with ongoing tutelage.

Given the nature of the breach and his poor record, no reduction is applied from the 7 day starting point.

After taking into account all the above factors, the Adjudicative Committee considered a suspension of 7 (national) days to be appropriate under the circumstances.

Conclusion

The Adjudicative Committee granted Mr Lawson-Carroll a deferment until after racing on 25 November 2023.  Accordingly, his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 7 days commencing after racing on 25 November 2023, and concluding after racing on 8 December 2023.