R Tauranga 7 July 2024 – R1 – Wiremu Pinn

BACKGROUND:

Mrs Lauren Selvakumaran (Stipendiary Steward) produced Information No. A17882 alleging that as the Rider of NIGHT WARRIOR in Race 1, Mr Pinn had allowed his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of RIDE SALLY RIDE, which blundered when crowded approaching the 1000 metre mark, dislodging its Rider.

Fortunately, both the Rider (J Nishizuka) and horse RIDE SALLY RIDE were unharmed. Mr Nishizuka was cleared to ride in the next race and completed all his engagements for the day.

The Respondent Mr Pinn advised that he understood and admitted the charge.

EVIDENCE:

Mr J Oatham (Chief Stipendiary Steward), showed video replays of the incident (head and side on) identifying the horses concerned. After the start in the 1600 metre shute and coming across to the course proper down the back straight, RIDE SALLY RIDE had moved across to the fence in the lead. Mr Pinn on NIGHT WARRIOR, then moved gradually across to take the lead from RIDE SALLY RIDE. While it had been a gradual movement over a distance, in doing so, the Respondent was not the required his own length and another length clear, Mr Oatham said.

Mr Pinn was not pushing forward, and RIDE SALLY RIDE found itself in tight quarters, blundered and dislodged its Rider, Apprentice Mr J Nishizuka. Mr Oatham said he felt the inexperience of the Apprentice Rider of RIDE SALLY RIDE, was a factor and he could have reacted more quickly, but Mr Pinn had an obligation to ensure he was his own length and another clear before moving across.

Mr Pinn said he agreed with the description of the incident by Mr Oatham. He felt the inexperience of the Apprentice Rider meant they were slower to react and they had not called out. He felt that he had been moving very gradually across and that being 600 metres from the start of the race, the horses behind had settled into position. He acknowledged though, that he had not been sufficiently clear, even though he had been moving very gradually.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Oatham said that Mr Pinn had three previous careless riding charges on his record in the past 12 months. One was in Australia (a penalty of 8 national race days), which would be equivalent of a low to mid charge in New Zealand. The two New Zealand charges were on 24 January 2024 at Matamata – one mid-range (7 days suspension) and one low range (5 days suspension).

Mr Pinn had had 180 rides since returning full time back to New Zealand early in 2024. The Stewards considered his record to be neutral and noted that he had admitted the breach.

Mrs Selvakumaran referred the Adjudicative Committee to the Penalty Guide, which suggests a starting point for “careless riding causing a fall”, of a 4-weeks suspension and referred to a number of cases in which Jockeys had received a 4-weeks suspension for careless riding causing a fall. It was fortunate that in this case, both the Rider and horse were uninjured.

Mitigating factors were that the Stewards considered that the carelessness was low end and the Apprentice’s inexperience had contributed to the situation.

The Respondent sought a deferment of suspension until after the meeting at Ruakaka on 13 July.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The appropriate starting point is a 4-weeks suspension as prescribed in the RIB Penalty Guide (February 2023). Guidance is also taken from the penalty history of comparable charges. While each breach involves factors particular to each incident, there is a consistency in the penalty imposed reflecting the consequences of the careless riding, namely causing a fall.

The Adjudicative Committee determined after weighing up all the factors, a penalty of a 4-week suspension is appropriate. This is consistent with the majority of penalties handed down in other cases of careless riding causing a fall.

CONCLUSION:

The Respondent’s application for a deferment was granted. Mr Pinn’s Class A Jockey’s Licence is suspended for a period of 4 weeks, commencing after racing on Saturday 13 July 2024 at Ruakaka and ending after racing on Saturday 10 August 2024.