Riccarton Park – Amberley 21 June 2025 – R6 – Kylie Williams

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 6, the Respondent Class A Rider Kylie Williams admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of OCEAN LIGHT “she shifted ground inwards shortly after the start when not sufficiently clear of KOYAMA, which was crowded and checked.”  

The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission 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, Chief Stipendiary Steward John Oatham, with the assistance of Stipendiary Steward, Veronica Fisher, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. Mrs Fisher pointed out Ms Williams, riding OCEAN LIGHT, jumping from the 7 barrier stall with KOYAMA, ridden by Yogesh Atchamah, jumping from the 2 barrier stall. The replays showed Ms Williams shifting across, towards the rail shortly after the start, and in doing so, was not clear of KOYAMA, who was crowded and had to check away from OCEAN LIGHT’s heels.

Ms Williams elected to make no submissions in regard to the breach.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham produced the Respondent’s riding record, which indicated 4 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely – 22 June 2024 – Riccarton (4 day suspension), 21 July 2024 – Oamaru (4 day suspension), 12 October 2024 – Ashburton (4 day suspension) and Riccarton – 22 March 2025 (7 day suspension) in a Listed Race.

Mr Oatham said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the mid-range and submitted a starting point as per the Penalty Guide of a 7 day suspension. Mr Oatham stated that Ms Williams’ penalty record, with 1 breach in June last year to drop off on 22 June and 2 others being in July and October last year, be considered as a neutral factor in this case. He added that Ms Williams had 421 rides over the previous 12 months.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent elected to make no submissions, apart from requesting that any suspension begin as soon as possible.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s  carelessness to be in the mid range and accordingly, adopted a 7 day suspension as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide.

The Respondent’s riding record is treated as a neutral factor, due to the submissions presented by Mr Oatham.  In mitigation, Ms Williams’ frank admission of the breach warrants a discount, which the Adjudicative Committee set at 1 day.

After consideration of the above factors, a 6 National Day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

Ms Williams’ License to ride is suspended from the conclusion of racing today, 21 June 2025, up to and including 2 July 2025.