R Te Aroha 9 November 2021 – R2 – Jonathan Riddell

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 2, the Respondent Class A Rider Jonathan Riddell admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged  that as the Rider of “GRANADOS (J Riddell), he permitted his mount to shift outwards forcing CIAMBELLA into the line of MAHOMES which was checked near the 450 metres”. 

Mr Riddell 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 Judicial Committee considers to be careless.

Using the available race films Stipendiary Steward, Mr Davidson demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Mr Davidson said that approaching the 450 metre mark the Respondent has shifted out and bumped CIAMBELLA (C McNab) who,  as a result, was forced into the running line of MAHOMES (V Colgan) who was checked.

In response, the Respondent stated that he was caught by surprise when his mount shifted out and brushed Mr McNab’s mount.  He said that his shift was only for one stride and he did his best to straighten up.  He accepted the shift was the result of a lack of judgement on his part.

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).

Submission for Penalty:

Mr Davidson produced the Respondent’s riding record which indicated 3 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely:

13/3/21           6 days + $750 – Group 1 Race

08/04/21          5 days + $200

18/09/21         8 days + $1200 – Group 1 Race

Mr Davidson submitted that Mr Riddell’s record is not an aggravating factor given that he is a Senior Rider who has had 461 mounts in the past 12 months.

Mr Davidson said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range.

The Respondent did not seek a deferment to any proposed suspension and offered no submissions as to penalty.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions  the Adjudicator determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be in the low to mid mid-range and adopted a 6-day (suspension) as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 1 September 2021).

The available films clearly established that the Respondent shifted out when he was not sufficiently clear of CIAMBELLA who was momentarily inconvenienced and forced into the running line of MAHOMES, who was checked.  Although the outward shift was for only a stride or two there were consequences to two horses who had their chances affected to varying degrees.

The Respondent’s riding record is treated as a neutral factor and a 1-day reduction was applied to the 6-day starting point for his admission of the breach.

After consideration of the above factors a 5-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion – Penalty:

Mr Riddell’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 days commencing after racing on 9 November 2021 and concluding after racing on 17 November 2021.

The meeting at Pukekohe on 11 November 2021 was not considered as it is for Auckland based Riders only.