R Tauranga 16 November 2024 – R3 – Ace Lawson-Carroll

EVIDENCE:

Following the running of Race 3, the “TAURANGA HARDWARE & PLUMBING 1200”, Mr Jones presented an Information charging Mr Lawson-Carroll, the Rider of I’MUNSTOPPABLE with breaching Rule 636(1)(d) in that he failed to ride his horse out to the end of the race when there was a reasonable chance of it running into 5th position, having finished 6th when beaten by a nose.

Mr Lawson-Carroll did not admit the breach.  The hearing proceeded on a defended basis and the Adjudicative Committee received evidence from Mr Jones, Mr Dooley, Mr Lawson-Carroll, Ms Clotworthy and the films (side and head on) of the final 150 metres as well as the record of the photo finish, margins and Judge’s placings.

Rule 636(1)(d) provides that a Rider “must ride his horse out to the end of the race if there is a reasonable chance of it running into a position for which there is prizemoney to be awarded or a dividend to be declared.”

For this race, the prizemoney for 5th place was $1,000 and for 6th and 7th, (there only being 7 starters), $600.

DECISION:

After considering all the evidence and submissions by two Stipendiary Stewards, the race films, and from Mr Lawson-Carroll, and Ms Clotworthy, the Adjudicative Committee found the charge to have been established and imposed a fine (in line with the NZTR Penalty Guide) of $300.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Adjudicative Committee’s reasons were that the head on film clearly illustrated that Mr Lawson-Carroll, when 4 strides from the finish, ceased to ride “hands and heels”, sat up in the saddle, and adopted a relaxed body action.  Ms Clotworthy’s evidence was largely opinion (which is naturally allowed) and to the effect that Mr Lawson-Carroll “did not think he was in contention” and for a stake difference of $400, he thinks a warning only was sufficient.  She further said the horse had a hard run and did not pull up well and the Rider “was not standing up” on the film.

But the Adjudicative Committee, when it questioned Mr Lawson-Carroll, was told by him that he did relax and ceased riding, as he had earlier ridden it hard and thought that it had “had enough”.

As the Adjudicative Committee said, the Rule is mandatorily framed as an obligation that “must” be met.  It does not require “flogging a horse” as Ms Clotworthy said might be required, but using appropriate hand urging when a horse might have a reasonable chance to obtain a better (financial) place.  Here, the margin between 5th and 6th was a very close nose, with the respective times recorded as 1 minute 12.21 seconds (5th) and 1 minute 12.22 seconds (6th) – that is only a difference of 0.01 of a second.

The Adjudicative Committee was satisfied that there was a reasonable chance of I’MUNSTOPPABLE finishing in 5th place, which required Mr Lawson-Carroll to continue riding with proper urging of his mount and not sitting up without vigour.

CONCLUSION:

Apprentice Jockey Ace Lawson-Carroll is fined $300.