R Thames 4 January 2025 – R4 – Rory Hutchings

Evidence

Following the running of Race 4, Class A Rider Mr R Hutchings, admitted a charge of careless riding in that he permitted his mount URLAR to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear of HARVEST DAY (N Parmar), which was contacted and forced wider, becoming unbalanced near the 375 metres.  

At the commencement of the hearing, Mr Hutchings confirmed that he admitted the charge and that he understood the nature 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, Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr B Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses named in the Information.

Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones said that approaching the 375 metre mark in the home straight, Mr Hutchings shifted his mount outwards and made contact with HARVEST DAY, who was racing on his outer.  As a result, HARVEST DAY was forced 2 to 3 horse widths wider on the track.  Mr Jones pointed that Mr Hutchings was not the required distance clear of HARVEST DAY when he commenced the outward shift, which he described as being “abrupt“.

In response, Mr Hutchings said that the contact with Mr Parmar’s mount was “minimal and no more than a brush”.  He accepted that when he commenced the outward shift, “it was a bit aggressive”, but he felt the margin was sufficiently safe to enable  him to make the move.  He said the incident was the result of a misjudgement on his part.

Decision

As the Respondent admitted the charge, the Adjudicative Committee finds it to be proved.

Submissions for Penalty

Stipendiary Steward Mr Dooley advised that Mr Hutchings has recently relocated to New Zealand, where he intends to ride over the next 3 months.  He has previously been based in Australia for several years.  His recent record in Australia under the Rule, includes one breach for careless riding.

Mr Dooley advised that Stewards assessed Mr Hutchings’ level of carelessness to be in the low range, which has a 5-day suspension as its starting point.

Mr Hutchings advised of riding engagements through until 7 January 2025 and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension. He had nothing further to add in terms of penalty submissions.

Reasons for Penalty

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race films, the Adjudicative Committee determined the level of carelessness to be in the low range and adopted a 5-day suspension as the starting point.

The race films clearly demonstrate that Mr Hutchings has shifted his mount out, when not the required distance clear of HARVEST DAY.  There was contact between URLAR and HARVEST DAY, whose Rider was briefly unbalanced.

Therefore, in consideration of all the factors, including Mr Hutchings’ culpability, his excellent record and admission of the breach, the Adjudicative Committee imposed a 4-day suspension.

Conclusion

Mr Hutchings’ request for a deferment is granted and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days, commencing after racing on 7 January 2025 and concluding after racing on 12 January 2025.