Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 14 September 2024 – R9 – Tina Comignaghi

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 9, the Respondent Class A Rider Tina Comignaghi admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of TURF WAR “she allowed her mount to shift inwards when not fully clear of IFFIDIDIT which was checked passing the 1000m.”

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 Comignaghi, riding TURF WAR racing 4 wide approaching the 1000m with IFFIDIDIT, ridden by Yogesh Atchamah, racing 3 wide on the inside of Ms Comignaghi. The replays showed Ms Comignaghi looking to shift in to a 3 wide position and then when doing so, was not clear of Mr Atchamah, who had to check.

In response, the Respondent stated that she was trailing CONTEMPLATION BAY, which shifted in to a 3 wide position and she just followed it across without realising there were 3 horses inside her at the time.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham produced the Respondent Ms Comignaghi’s riding record, which indicated a clear record over the previous 12 months.

Mr Oatham said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low to mid range and submitted a starting point as per the Penalty Guide of a 5 to 6 day starting point. He added that Ms Comignaghi had 482 rides over the previous 12 months.

The Respondent made no submissions in regard to penalty and did not seek a deferment, requesting that any suspension begin as soon as possible.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent Ms Comignaghi’s carelessness to be in the low to mid range and accordingly, adopted a 5-day suspension as the starting point.

The Respondent’s excellent riding record is treated as a mitigating factor and in conjunction with her ready admission of the breach, warranted a discount which the Adjudicative Committee set at 1 day.

Of note, in order to ensure the suspension included at least one South Island day, a suspension of 5 National Days was required to fulfill this requirement.

After consideration of the above factors, a 5-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 National Days, commencing after racing today, 14 September 2024 and concluding after racing on 22 September 2024.