R Thames 4 January 2025 – R4 – Matt Cartwright

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 4, the Respondent, Class A Rider Mr M Cartwright admitted a charge filed pursuant to Rule 636(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of ASCENSION, he failed to ride his mount out fully to the end of the race, when there was a reasonable chance of finishing 5th.

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

Rule 636(1)(d) provides: A Rider shall be the Rider of a horse in a Race, must ride his horse out to the end of the Race if there is a reasonable chance of it running into a position for which there is prize money to be awarded or a dividend to be declared.

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

Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones said that nearing the 100 metres, Mr Cartwright was about to present his mount, ASCENSION, into a gap between two horses.  The gap closed and ASCENSION was checked and held up for a stride.  Mr Cartwright had to steady his mount off heels, sit up and re-balance.  He then continued to push his mount forward until three strides prior to the finish, when he eased his ride to the finish.  He finished in 6th place and there was a half head between 5th and 6th. Mr Jones said that had he continued to ride his mount out fully to the finish, there was a reasonable chance of it finishing in 5th place.

Mr Cartwright said his horse was racing greenly and it “copped interference near the 100 metres”.  He said that he had to sit up to get his mount out of the situation.  He accepted that he did not ride his mount out fully over the concluding stages and added that he mis-judged the winning post. He said that the previous time he rode at Te Aroha, it was a heavy track, and he noted that the firm surface (today) was different to ride on.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Dooley, said that Mr Cartwright has a clear record under the Rule. He said that he should be given credit for his admission and the mitigating factors that led to his mount being checked and having to steady off heels near the 100 metre mark.  He added that Mr Cartwright’s error occurred in the final 3 strides.

Mr Dooley suggest that a minimal discount from the $300 starting point would be an appropriate penalty.

Mr Cartwright agreed with the Stewards’ penalty submissions.

Reasons for Penalty:

The available films clearly established that Mr Cartwright eased his mount out over the concluding stages, when there was a likelihood of finishing in at least 5th place, had he ridden his mount out fully to the finish. It was also noted, that the stake money for 5th and 6th placing was the same ($370).  On that basis, there was no monetary loss to the connections.

The Adjudicative Committee accepts that there were mitigating factors in Mr Cartwright’s favour.  Therefore, from a penalty starting point of a $300 fine, the Adjudicative Committee applied a $50 reduction, after taking into account Mr Cartwright’s admission, his good record and the circumstances of the breach.

Accordingly, a $250 fine is imposed.

Conclusion:

Mr Cartwright is fined $250.