Riccarton Park – Banks Peninsula RC 11 February 2023 – R9 – Jasmine Fawcett

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 9, the Respondent Class A Rider, Jasmine Fawcett, admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of I AM A ROCK, she allowed her mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of TREYBON who was dictated inwards resulting in SEVEN TWENTY being checked near the 1100m.  

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, Stipendiary Steward, Mr Davidson, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson said that approaching the 1100 metre mark, the Respondent has shifted ground inwards when not clear of TREYBON, who was dictated inwards into the rightful line of SEVEN TWENTY, who had to check.

In response, the Respondent stated that the incident occurred on the point of the turn and that she had made a slight misjudgment.

Decision:

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

Submission for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson produced the Respondent’s riding record which indicated 4 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely Auckland – 22 June 2022 (7 days), Whangarei – 16 May 2022 (6 days), Auckland – November (7 days) and Otago – 27 November 2022 (7 days).

The Respondent has had 261 mounts in the current season to date.

Stipendiary Steward, Mr Davidson, said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be just below mid range and submitted a 6 day starting point be considered.

The Respondent advised of riding engagements through until 19 February 2023 and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

The Respondent made no submissions in regard to penalty apart from seeking a deferment.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be in the mid to low range and adopted a 6-day (suspension) as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 10 February 2023).

The Respondent’s riding record is treated as an aggravating factor and a 2 day uplift was applied. A 1-day reduction was applied to the 8-day suspension for her frank admission of the breach.

After consideration of the above factors, a 7-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted and her licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 7 days commencing after racing on 19 February 2023, and concluding after racing on 2 March 2023.