Reefton TC 30 December 2024 – R3 – Robbie Close

ID: RIB50086

Respondent(s):
Robbie Dean Close - Driver

Applicant:
Shane Renault, Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Russell McKenzie

Information Number:
A20033

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Failing to drive out to end of race

Rule(s):
868(3) - Riding/driving infringement

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
Moonlite

Code:
Harness

Race Date:
30/12/2024

Race Club:
Reefton Trotting Club

Race Location:
Reefton Racecourse - Lower Broadway,, Reefton,

Race Number:
R3

Hearing Date:
30/12/2024

Hearing Location:
Reefton Racecourse, Reefton

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Open Driver, Robbie Close, is suspended 3 days

BACKGROUND

Following the running of Race 3, The Broadway Tearooms & Bakery Mobile Pace, Open Driver, Robbie Close, admitted a breach of Rule 868(3) in that, as the Driver of MOONLITE in the race, he “failed to drive his horse out to the end of the race when having a reasonable chance of finishing in 4th place”.

Rule 868 provides as follows:

(3)     Every driver shall drive his or her horse out to the end of the race if he or she has any reasonable chance of running first, second, third, fourth, or fifth.

The result of the race was as follows:

1st     2    The Mantis

2nd    3    Swimming Poole

3rd     4    Major Moneymaker

4th    10   Tasi Ahnau

5th     9    Moonlite

The margin between 4th and 5th was a nose.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Shane Renault, showed video replays of the final 100 metres of the race. He pointed out MOONLITE, racing in 4th position, being driven out by Mr Close, urging it with the whip and reins until approximately 15 metres from the finishing line, when he stopped driving the horse out. The horse to its inside, TASI AHNAU (Wilson House) got up on the line to beat Mr Close’s runner by a nose. Mr Renault submitted that MOONLITE had a reasonable chance of running 4th.

Mr Close said that his runner was stopping and going slower and Mr House’s runner was making ground and maintaining its speed. He believed that Mr House had also stopped driving his horse out over the last 15 metres. He questioned whether he had a reasonable chance of running 4th, the way his horse was stopping. He could not argue, he said.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Renault said that Mr Close has had 599 drives this season and has a clear record under the Rule. His record has been reset after a previous breach of the same Rule in May of this year.

Mr Renault referred to the Penalty Guide starting point for failing to drive out when a reasonable chance of finishing 4th, a 3-days suspension. That is the appropriate penalty for the breach, Mr Renault submitted.

The Respondent said that he has notified drives at the meeting of Central Otago TC on 2 January 2025, and wished any term of suspension to commence after that meeting.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

This is a clear case of failing to drive out to the finish when having a reasonable chance of finishing, in this case, 4th. The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) is very specific, and leaves no room for a consideration of aggravating or mitigating factors. In the case of a reasonable chance of running 4th, the Penalty Guide provides a penalty of a 3-days suspension.

Accordingly, the penalty is a 3-days suspension.

CONCLUSION:

Mr Close’s application for a deferment is granted. His Open Driver’s Licence is suspended from after the close of racing on 2 January 2025, up to and including 8 January 2025 – 3 days.

Decision Date: 30/12/2024

Publish Date: 01/01/2025