Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 11 November 2023 – R2 – Tanya Jonker

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 2, the Helston & Associates Premier, the Respondent Class A Rider Tanya Jonker admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of PONZI PONY “she allowed her mount to shift out crowding AQUA MAN and SOOO DUSTY who was checked passing the 150m”.  

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, Mark Davidson, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. Mr Davidson pointed out Ms Jonker, riding PONZI PONY, racing mid track with AQUA MAN, ridden by Lily Sutherland and SOOO DUSTY, ridden by Wiremu Pinn, racing to her outside, approaching the 150m.

Mr Oatham showed on the available replays, Ms Jonker angle her mount out in order to take a run to the outside of the horse she was trailing, THE BOLD LOOK, and in doing so, was not clear of AQUA MAN, which was crowded and in turn, crowded SOOO DUSTY, which  had to check when that horse was placed in tight quarters and ran out of racing room. He added that THE BOLD LOOK  did shift out slightly as the Respondent was attempting to take the gap as well as the horse to the outside of SOOO DUSTY, VAUDEVIRE, which shifted in slightly as well, which aggravated the incident.

In response, the Respondent stated that she believed there was a run for her at the time, but the horse she was trailing shifted out slightly at the time and after she had committed to the run, and this made the incident look worse.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham stated that Ms Jonker’s record in regard to this Rule showed 2 previous breaches being, 4 June 2023 – Otago (5 days) and 27 July 2023 – Oamaru (5 days).

Mr Oatham said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low-range due to the mitigating factors noted above and submitted a starting point as per the Penalty Guide of a 5-day suspension.

The Respondent advised of riding engagements through until 18 November 2023 at Riccarton and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent elected to make no submissions.

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. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide.

Ms Jonker’s record was deemed a neutral factor.

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

Ms Jonker’s frank admission of the breach warrants a discount, which was set at 1 day.

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

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted until after racing on 18 November 2023 at Riccarton, and her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 national days, commencing after racing on 18 November 2023 and concluding after racing on 24 November 2023.