R Tauranga 1 November 2025 – R6 – Sam Weatherley

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 6, the Respondent Class A Rider Sam Weatherley admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of INSIDE OUT, he permitted his mount to shift outward when not sufficiently clear, contacting OSTERIA, which was forced wider on the track approaching 50 metres from the finish.

The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of 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.

Having viewed the available race films during the hearing into the protest arising from Race 6, during which all parties in this hearing were present and participated, the parties involved agreed it was not necessary to view the race films again. It was accepted by all parties that INSIDE OUT was not sufficiently clear of OSTERIA when Mr Weatherley shifted out and as a result, INSIDE OUT made contact with OSTERIA, shifting that horse 4 horse widths wider on the track.

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones produced the Respondent Mr Weatherley’s riding record, which indicated no previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months.

The Respondent Mr Weatherley has had 191 mounts in the past 12 months.

Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be approaching the mid-range.  An aggravating factor was the interference caused by Mr Weatherley, resulted in a change of placings in the race. Mr Jones sought a starting point of a 7-day suspension.

The Respondent advised of riding engagements through until 8 November 2025 and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent Mr Weatherley submitted his record over the last 12 months as a mitigating factor.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent Mr Weatherley’s carelessness to be in the mid-range and adopted a 7-day suspension as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide.

The Respondent’s riding record is treated as a mitigating factor, as is his admission of the breach and a 1-day reduction was applied to the 7-day starting point, for his admission of the breach and good record.

After consideration of the above factors, a 6-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 days, commencing after racing on 8 November 2025 and concluding after racing on 16 November 2025.