R Te Aroha 7 March 2025 – R5 – Triston Moodley

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 5, Apprentice Rider Mr T Moodley (assisted by Mr N Harris) admitted a charge of Careless Riding in that he permitted his mount (ANTON) to shift inwards when insufficiently clear of BRIAN LAMONT, which was checked near the 75 metres.

Mr Moodley acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

Using the available race films, Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders involved. Mr Oatham explained that prior to the 75-metre mark, ANTON was racing 3 to 4 horse-widths, off the fence, contesting the lead. SKIDDLYDOO, on its outer, made contact with ANTON when its Rider, Mr W Pinn, dropped his rein. ANTON then shifted inwards into the running line of BRIAN LAMONT (S Spratt), who was finishing the race strongly on the fence. Mr Oatham noted that Mr Moodley continued to ride forward, and Ms Spratt called out to him, having then to take a strong hold of her mount for a considerable distance.

Mr Oatham added that Ms Spratt had intended to go for an inside run, but due to her mount being checked, its chances of finishing in a better placing were extinguished. At the time of the shift, ANTON was no more than ¾ length clear of that runner.

In response, Mr Moodley stated that his mount was a young, inexperienced horse that raced erratically for most of the race. He mentioned that he received a bump from SKIDDLYDOO, causing his mount to react by shifting in. He accepted that he was slow to correct his mount, when Ms Spratt called out to him.

Supporting Mr Moodley, Northern Riding Mentor Mr Harris, said that Mr Moodley “corrected his mount, but was a stride too late.”

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Dooley produced Mr Moodley’s riding record, which indicated 3 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, from 338 race rides.  He said that the most recent breach occurred on 7 July 2024, resulting in a 5 day suspension.

Mr Dooley said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the mid-range. He said that an aggravating factor was that ANTON continued to shift in on BRIAN LAMONT, for a considerable distance, without Mr Moodley taking corrective action.  He added that whilst shifting in, Mr Moodley continued to ride forward, whilst striking his mount.

The Respondent sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing on 13 March 2025.  He accepted that he should have corrected his mount earlier.

Mr Harris advised that Mr Moodley is a promising Apprentice Rider, he will learn from this experience, and he agreed that he was too late to correct his mount after shifting in.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be in the mid-range and adopted a 7-day (suspension) as the starting point.

The available films clearly established that ANTON commenced to shift ground inwards, after receiving a light bump from SKIDDLYDOO, after its Rider Mr Pinn dropped his rein.  Mr Moodley continued to ride his mount forward with his whip, when shifting ground.  He had ample opportunity to correct, but failed to do so, placing BRIAN LAMONT in restricted room on the rails.  Ms Spratt had to take a strong hold and her mount lost ground.

From the 7-day starting point, a 1-day reduction was applied for Mr Moodley’s admission of the breach and his riding record.

Conclusion:

Mr Moodley’s request for a deferment is granted and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 days, commencing after racing on 13 March 2025 and concluding after racing on 21 March 2025 (6 days).