Rangiora HRC 7 May 2023 – R8 – Alana Cameron

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 8, Goodwin Contracting Mobile Pace, the Respondent, Junior Driver Alana Cameron, as the Driver of BOULTON HOME in the race, admitted a charge that she drove carelessly approaching the 1600 metres, when attempting to ease ATOMIC TRAVELLER down the track when not having sufficient advantage.

The Respondent endorsed the Information “I do admit a breach of the Rule”, and she confirmed she understood the Rule and the nature of the charge. She waived assistance from a Senior Driver but the Adjudicative Committee was advised that, prior to pleading to the charge, she had viewed the video replays with Open Driver, Ricky May, and taken his advice.

Rule 869 provides:

(3) (b)  No driver in any race shall drive carelessly.

The Shifting Ground Regulation provides:

Where a horse does not have clear passage during a race the driver shall be permitted to shift ground:

1. Inwards and ease another runner down the track provided such driver is in a position to do so by having sufficient advantage over the horse about to be shifted inwards and that horse is clear of other horses to its inside so it can be moved in.

 EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Paul Williams, showed video replays of the relevant part of the race, approaching the 1600 metres, 400 metres after the start of the 2000 metres mobile start event. He pointed out BOULTON HOME, driven by the Respondent, racing in the last three runners and 3-wide, to the outside of ATOMIC TRAVELLER (Matthew Williamson). Mr Williams then pointed out the Respondent attempt to ease Mr Williamson down to the markers, when not having the required “sufficient advantage” and, as a result, Mr Williamson’s runner galloped for several strides and lost ground.

The Respondent said that she had the mistaken belief that it was the sulky wheels, and not the horse, that were required to have an advantage. Mr Williamson had “fought” her for some distance, she said. Neither did she believe that Mr Williamson’s runner had broken as a result of the interference.

The Adjudicative Committee was advised that the Respondent’s most recent careless driving breach was in 2020.

DECISION:

The charge is admitted and is therefore deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Williams said that the Respondent has a clear record in relation to the Careless Driving Rule. Last season she had 39 drives and, in the current season to date, she has had 50 drives. Stewards believed that the breach was mid-range, for which the Penalty Guide starting point is a 3-days suspension. That would be an appropriate penalty for this breach, he submitted.

The Respondent submitted that a 3-days suspension was excessive for her, a Junior Driver.

Upcoming race dates were then looked at. The Respondent said that she was expecting to have two drives at the Winton HRC meeting on 13 May.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Adjudicative Committee noted the starting point in the RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (February 2023) of a 3-days suspension.

The Adjudicative Committee assessed the breach as being below mid-range. The interference to Mr Williamson’s horse was minimal. The Respondent’s record is quite exceptional. Since her last careless driving breach in 2020, the Adjudicative Committee calculates, she has had at least 220 drives. She has admitted the breach and, of course, she is a Junior Driver. For a combination of those factors, the Adjudicative Committee gives the Respondent a discount of 1 day from the Penalty Guide starting point.

CONCLUSION:

The Respondent, Junior Driver, Alana Cameron, is suspended from after the end of racing on 7 May 2023, up to and including 13 May 2023 – 2 days.