Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 15 May 2025 – R3 – John and Karen Parsons

An Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson, against the Training Partnership of Class A Trainers, John and Karen Parsons, alleging a breach of Rule 404(2) in that, as the Trainers of EL ULTIMO, an acceptor for Race 3, Coca Cola Rating 65, they “presented an incorrect horse to race, resulting in EL ULTIMO being declared a late scratching.

Co-trainer, John Parsons, had signed the Information “I do admit a breach of the rule”. He was present at the hearing of the Information and confirmed that he understood the charge.

Rule 404 provides as follows:

(2)   A person shall not enter, accept, start or intend to start a horse in a Race or trial under a name other than its registered name.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward Mark Davidson, told the hearing that Mr & Mrs Parsons had three runners in Race 3. Upon the brands being checked, it was noticed that the brands on one of the horses, EL ULTIMO, did not match. It transpired that the horse presented as EL ULTIMO was, in fact, TUMUCH, an acceptor for Race 4. The error was noticed 4 minutes prior to the start time for the race and, because of time constraints, EL ULTIMO was late scratched by the Stewards. The race eventually started 2 minutes late, Mr Davidson said.

The correct horse, TUMUCH, was on course and started in (and won) Race 4. One of the Jockeys had been late in weighing out and this was the reason for the rush to present the horses, Mr Davidson said.

Mr Davidson said that the two horses, EL ULTIMO and TUMUCH were full brothers and similar in size and appearance.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Davidson referred to two earlier Decisions on similar facts, in each of which the Trainer had been fined $500. In both of those cases, the correct horse had been able to be retrieved and start. It was an aggravating factor, he submitted, that EL ULTIMO had to be scratched in this case.

Mr Parsons did not have any submission to make in relation to penalty.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

There is no starting point for penalty for a breach of the Rule contained in the RIB Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide (February 2025). The Adjudicative Committee has taken guidance from the two previous cases mentioned by Mr Davidson (Patterson, March 2023 and McLeod, April 2025) in which, the Adjudicative Committee notes, the facts were very similar to the facts in this case. In each of those cases, a fine of $500 was imposed.

CONCLUSION:

Class A Trainers John and Karen Parsons, are fined the sum of $600.