R Te Aroha 22 October 2025 – R4 – Clinton Isdale

Background

Stipendiary Steward, Mr A Dooley filed an Information alleging Licensed Trainer, Mr C Isdale failed to declare the Rider for horse No. 8 RIGHT OF APPEAL (R4) by the mandatory Rider declaration time.

Mr Isdale endorsed the Information that he admitted the breach, but did not wish to be present at the hearing.

Rule 537(a) 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:

• 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.

Evidence

Mr Dooley said that a charge of this nature would normally be dealt with by way of a Minor Infringement Notice (MIN), however, as this was Mr Isdale’s 3rd breach within the reset period, an Information was preferred.

Mr Dooley told the Adjudicative Committee that Mr Isdale advised him that Mr M Cartwright was the declared Rider, but he forgot to notify the Racing Bureau by required time.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Dooley said that a 2nd plus breach, would normally attract a starting point fine of $100. He submitted that given this is Mr Isdale’s third breach, a fine in the vicinity of $150, would be an appropriate penalty.

Reasons for Penalty:

Riders for the Te Aroha meeting were required to be declared no later than 1 pm on 20 October 2025. Trainers are obliged to meet this deadline, as the betting public are entitled to know the name of the Rider engaged, in advance of the meeting. Under the MIN scale, Mr Isdale received a $50 fine for his first breach on 8 August 2025 and a $100 fine for his second breach on 21 September 2025.

Considering Mr Isdale’s admission of the breach and his record under the Rule, the Adjudicative Committee determined a modest uplift from the 2nd breach penalty was appropriate, issuing a fine of $150.

Conclusion:

Mr Isdale was fined $150.