Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 10 August 2024 – R9 – Lee Callaway

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 9, the Respondent Class A Rider Lee Callaway admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of THE GOOD SHEPHERD “he allowed his mount to shift in dictating runners inwards resulting in MAKABAR being checked near the 1100m.” 

The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his 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 Mark Davidson, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. Mr Davidson pointed out Mr Callaway, riding THE GOOD SHEPHERD, racing midtrack and approaching the 1100m, with SEVEN TWENTY, ridden by Terry Moseley, LORD DARCI, ridden by Denby-Rose Tait and MAKABAR, ridden by Kylie Williams, all racing on the inside of Mr Callaway. Mr Davidson showed Mr Callaway shifting in, near the 1100m, when not clear of SEVEN TWENTY, who was dictated in onto LORD DARCI, who in turn was dictated in onto MAKABAR and who, as a result, had to check.

In response, the Respondent stated that he thought he had gone forward enough to clear the runners on his inside, but clearly had misjudged his movement in.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham stated that Mr Callaway’s record in regard to this Rule, showed 3 previous breaches within the last 12 months being;

-23 October 2023 – South Canterbury – 6 day suspension

-12 May 2024 – Wairio – 4 day suspension

-4 July 2024 – Ashburton – 6 day suspension

Mr Callaway’s riding statistics shows he has had 273 rides over the previous 12 months.

Mr Oatham said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low-range, with consequences low to mid. He submitted a starting point as per the Penalty Guide of a 6 day starting point. He submitted that Mr Callaway’s record be considered a neutral factor, due to the number of rides he has had.

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 to mid range and accordingly, adopted a 6-day suspension as the starting point. The aggravating factor was the consequences of Mr Callaway’s carelessness, which warranted an uplift in penalty. This uplift was set at 1 day.

The Respondent’s riding record is treated as a neutral factor. Mr Callaway’s frank admission of the breach affords a discount, which was set at 1 day.

Therefore, it was determined that a 6 day suspension was an appropriate penalty in this case.

Conclusion:

Mr Callaway’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 national days, commencing after racing today, 10 August 2024 and concluding after racing on 23 August 2024.