R Te Aroha 2 June 2025 – R3 – Pam Gerard

Evidence:

Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr A Dooley filed Information No. A19229 alleging Licensed Trainer, Ms Gerard failed to declare a Rider for IN HARMONY (Race 3) by the required time.

Ms Gerard endorsed the Information, indicating that the charge was admitted.

Rule 537 provides that:

The Trainer or Owner or lessee (as the case may be) or the Agent of the Trainer, Owner, or lessee (as the case may be) for a horse accepted or deemed to have been accepted for a Race shall:

(a) declare to NZTR the name of the Rider of that horse by the time and date specified by NZTR for declaration of Riders for that Race.

Mr Dooley advised the Adjudicative Committee that the Rider for IN HARMONY, was not notified by the required time.

On race morning, Rider G Rooke was declared as the Rider for IN HARMONY.

Ms Gerard admitted the charge and chose not to be present at the hearing.

Decision:

The charge is admitted; therefore, it is deemed to be proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Dooley said that this Rule is usually dealt with under the Minor Infringement Schedule, but as this is the Trainer’s third breach of the Rule, it required a hearing.  The penalty for a 2nd infringement was a $100 fine and Mr Dooley recommended a fine of $150 for this third offence.

Reasons for Penalty:

After consideration of the circumstances, including the admission of the breach, the Adjudicative Committee deemed that this matter should be dealt with by way of a fine and considered a fine of $150 was appropriate.

Conclusion:

Ms Gerard was fined $150.