Riccarton Park – Amberley 22 June 2024 – R5 – Donovan Cooper

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 5, Sam Keenan – Tennis Coach Rating 65, Class B Jockey, Donovan Cooper, admitted a breach of Rule 638(1)(d) in that, as the Rider of TELLME YOU LOVEME in the race, he rode carelessly in permitting his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear, dictating PEECEE PUSSYCAT (Yogesh Atchamah) inwards, crowding ALMANAC (Lee Callaway) onto COSMETIC VIRTUE (Courtney Barnes) passing the 1800 metres.

The Respondent was assisted at the hearing by Jason Laking, Apprentice Jockey Mentor.

Rule 638 provides as follows:

(1)    A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be:

        (d)   careless.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson, had Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, show video replays to demonstrate the incident after approximately 200 metres of the 2000 metres race. He pointed out TELLME YOU LOVEME, ridden by the Respondent, which had drawn barrier 9 in the 9-horse field and PEECEE PUSSYCAT, ridden by Yogesh Atchamah, which had drawn one barrier inside him. He also pointed out the other two runners affected – ALMANAC and COSMETIC VIRTUE.

Across the crossing, the Respondent was shifting down to the outside of Mr Atchamah, which initially wanted to lay in, away from the Respondent’s mount. The Respondent continued to shift in and it got tight inside. Mr Oatham pointed out Mr Callaway in trouble and Ms Barnes getting crowded on the inside, making contact with the running rail. Mr Atchamah was unable to relieve any of the pressure on those runners, Mr Oatham said.

Mr Cooper had briefly tried to turn his horse’s head out a couple of times, but it was not quite enough, Mr Oatham said.

Mr Laking submitted that the incident showed inexperience on the Respondent’s part. He had tried to relieve the pressure, but had not given Mr Atchamah enough room.

DECISION:

The breach having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Davidson said that the Respondent has four previous breaches of the Careless Riding Rule on his record. These are on:

30 August 2023 at Waikato – suspended for 4 days (low-range breach);

23 December 2023 at Waikato – suspended for 6 days (mid-high range);

2 June 2024 at Otago – suspended 6 days (mid-range);

20 June 2024 at Oamaru – suspended for 7 days (mid-range).

The Respondent has had 178 rides in the last 12 months. His record is “not great”. The breach is seen as below mid-range, Mr Davidson said. Mr Atchamah had tried to get away, but the Respondent did not relieve the pressure at the time that Mr Callaway was checking. The initial crowding was due to PEECEE PUSSYCAT. The Respondent had got it “slightly wrong”, but had admitted the breach at the first opportunity.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The breach is assessed by the Adjudicative Committee as being in the low-mid range. The RIB Thoroughbred Penalty Guide (February 2023) suggests a starting point for penalty for such a breach of 6 national riding days.

The Respondent’s riding record of four previous breaches, and two in the month of June, is not good and is regarded as an aggravating factor, for which the Adjudicative Committee applies a 2-day uplift to the Penalty Guide starting point of a 6-days suspension. He is entitled to a discount from the uplifted starting point for his admission of the breach and this is fixed at 1 day.

CONCLUSION:

Class B Jockey, Donovan Cooper’s Licence to ride in races is suspended from after the close of racing on 12 July 2024, up to and including 24 July 2024 – 7 national riding days.