Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 10 August 2024 – R10 – Denby-Rose Tait

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 10, the Respondent Class B Rider, Denby-Rose Tait admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of VICTORIAN CHARM “she allowed her mount to shift in crowding inside runners inwards onto SLIPPERY who was crowded and checked near the 900m.”  

The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach.

Jason Laking, NZTR Apprentice Mentor, was in attendance at the hearing to assist Miss Tait.

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 Mark Davidson, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. Mr Davidson pointed out Miss Tait, riding VICTORIAN CHARM, racing 5 wide with THE IMMIGRANT, ridden by Kylie Williams, GIANNIS, ridden by A Goindasamy, EXPLOSIVE LASS, ridden by Akshay Balloo and SLIPPERY, ridden by Lily Sutherland, racing to Miss Tait’s inside, when approaching the 900m. Mr Davidson showed on the available replays, that at the 900m, Miss Tait followed ROYCE ROCA, ridden by Yogesh Atchamah, who was immediately ahead of her, from a 5 wide position to a 4 wide position and as she was not clear of THE IMMIGRANT, crowded that horse and other inside runners, which resulted in SLIPPERY, who was racing on the rail, having to check.

Mr Laking, for Miss Tait, stated that Miss Tait was a victim of circumstances and assumed that she was clear when following Mr Atchamah, who shifted in to a 4 wide position immediately in front of her.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham stated that Miss Tait’s record in regard to this Rule was clear.

He said she was a busy, successful Apprentice Rider, with 231 rides over the previous 12 months.

Mr Oatham said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low-range and submitted a starting point as per the Penalty Guide of a 5-day starting point. He added that, her excellent record and admission of the breach, deserved credit.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent elected to make no submissions, apart from requesting 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 low range and accordingly, adopted a 5-day suspension as the starting point.

There were no aggravating factors to consider, therefore no uplift in penalty was warranted.

Miss Tait’s frank admission of the breach and her good record, warrants a discount, which was set at 1 day.

After consideration of the above factors, a 4-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

Miss Tait’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 national days, commencing after racing today, 10 August 2024 and concluding after racing on 17 August 2024.