R Te Aroha 21 October 2026 – R2 – George Rooke

Background

Following the running of Race 2, DONAGHYS TASMAN TIMBER MAIDEN 1600, George Rooke, the Rider of THE SPANIARD, was charged with a breach of Rule 638(1)(d).  The particulars of the charge are that it was alleged “he permitted his mount, THE SPANIARD, to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear, crowding, MEASURE UP (Ms Fawcett), DEE MACK, EPIC QUEST and MORIENTES, which [was] checked near the 1500 metre mark“.  Mr Rooke denied the charge.

The matter was then heard; Mr Rooke, not requiring the charge or details to be read. The Steward’s evidence began with Mr Jones demonstrating from the race films, Mr Rooke’s mount, within about 100 metres of the start, moving inwards onto Miss Fawcett’s mount. This manoeuvre, Mr Jones said, crowded, Miss Fawcett, causing her to move inwards onto DEE MACK.  That horse, then, was seen moving inwards onto EPIC QUEST, who in turn, moved inwards onto MORIENTES, which horse was checked near the 1,500 metres.  Mr Jones’ evidence was that when Mr Rooke moved inwards, he was no more than half a length in front of Miss Fawcett’s mount.

The Stewards also called Miss Fawcett, who gave evidence to the effect that she was riding about 100 metres out from the the start and was brushed by Mr Rooke’s mount, who had moved inwards onto her. She said Mr Rooke’s mount was only about half a length ahead of her, and when he did brush her, the consequences were enough to move her inwards. When questioned by Mr Rooke, she was unshaken as to her description of what had happened and the resulting consequences for her horse.

Mr Rooke’s evidence, which he gave whilst demonstrating, using the race films, his interpretation of what occurred, was to acknowledge that he did move in front of Miss Fawcett,  but he only brushed her. He said he could not see the horses coming up behind on her inside. His mount was being awkward. He acknowledged that he was within half a length of Miss Fawcett’s horse, but said he only had about a stride during the brushing manoeuvre. He did not accept that his interference was sufficient to cause the chain of events whereby each of the horses on Ms Fawcett’s inside, were crowded or interfered with.

Mr Rooke called Mr Cartwright, the Rider of DEE MACK as a witness and asked him if he had felt pressure from the outside from Jasmine Fawcett. He said that he did, as she was only about 3/4 of a length ahead of him. His view was that Miss Fawcett was pushed down onto him, because of the pressure from her outside.

Reasons for Decision

The Adjudicative Committee was satisfied that the evidence given by the Stewards, Miss Fawcett, Mr Cartwright, and indeed Mr Rooke himself, was sufficient to establish on the balance of probabilities, that Mr Rooke had moved inwards onto Miss Fawcett’s mount, when not being sufficiently clear of that horse.  The Adjudicative Committee was satisfied that the interference, whilst minor, created a domino effect due to the need for Miss Fawcett to move inwards, causing pressure on DEE MACK, EPIC QUEST, and MORIENTES.

Decision

Accordingly, the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proved.

Submissions for Penalty

Miss Jillings indicated that Mr Rooke had a poor record in relation to charges under this specific Rule. She submitted that the breach was low to midrange. As to Mr Rooke’s record, it was submitted that in the last 12 months, he has had 622 rides and during this period, he has had seven charges of careless riding under this Rule, proved. The last charge was on 1 August 2026, where he was suspended for six days for what was a low level charge. This current breach would have been regarded as low level, but for the consequences that flowed, namely, the crowding and thereby interference of three further horses. As a result, the breach is low to mid-range.

Reasons for Penalty

The starting point, according to the Penalty Guidelines, is 5+ days. Given the last suspension was six days and Mr Rooke is not able to obtain a reduction due to an admission of the charge, he has to face an uplift from the five days to reflect his poor record. The Adjudicative Committee was of the view that a two day uplift was appropriate in the circumstances.

Conclusion

Accordingly, Mr Rooke was suspended for seven days. Mr Rooke sought a deferment of the suspension until the end of racing on 26 October. As there was no opposition to this request, the Adjudicative Committee, therefore, suspended Mr Rooke from riding from the end of racing on 26 October 2026, for 7 days, ending at the conclusion of racing on 5 November 2026.