R Te Aroha 30 October 2024 – R7 – George Rooke

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 7, a Request for a Ruling was filed pursuant to Rule 649(3). The Applicant, Stipendiary Steward Mr Dooley, alleged that Mr G Rooke, the Rider of the 9th placed TRUE PROMISE, weighed in 0.6 kg underweight.

Rule 648(3) provides that:

If, on being weighed in, a Rider cannot draw the proper weight (meaning thereby the weight allotted by the Handicapper for his horse to carry and adjusted only by any re-handicap, by having been declared overweight, by penalty or by authorised allowance) the Clerk of the Scales shall allow such rider 0.5 kg and if the allowance is not sufficient to enable the proper weight to be drawn then subject to sub-Rule (4) of this Rule then in addition to any other penalty which may be imposed the horse shall be disqualified for the Race.

Rule 649(3) provides that:

A Rider must not weigh-in at a weight that exceeds or is less than the proper weight as is defined in and with the allowance permitted by Rule 648(3).

Submissions for Decision:

Mr Dooley advised the Adjudicative Committee that Mr R Sanders, Clerk of the Scales identified that following the running of the race, Mr Rooke, the Rider of TRUE PROMISE, weighed in 0.6 kg under the allocated handicapped weight of 55.5 kg. The weight discrepancy takes into account the allowance for the  protective vest. TRUE PROMISE finished 9th.

Mr Dooley sought disqualification of TRUE PROMISE.  In addition, pursuant to Rule 357(2) he sought the forfeiture of Mr Rooke’s riding fee.

In explanation, Mr Rooke advised that he went to the toilet after weighing out and that he should have re-weighed.  He accepted the error.

Reasons for Decision:

After considering the submissions, the Adjudicative Committee was satisfied that Mr Rooke weighed in at 0.6 kg under his weigh-out weight (0.6 under book weight). The Rule allows for no discretion and disqualification of the horse is mandatory.

Decision(s):

Pursuant to Rule 648(3), the Adjudicative Committee determined that (1) TRUE PROMISE be disqualified from the race; and (2) Mr Rooke forfeits his riding fee.