Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 16 November 2024 – R7 – Donovan Cooper

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 7, Jenny Laming Memorial Premier, Class B Jockey, Donovan Cooper, admitted a breach of Rule 638(1)(d) in that, as the Rider of GEMMA FLITZ in the race, he “allowed his mount to shift out forcing TENGIZ (Kate Hercock) outwards crowding and checking MAGNETO (Joe Doyle) passing the 900 metres”.

Mr Cooper was assisted at the hearing by Apprentice Jockey Mentor, Jason Laking.

Rule 638 provides as follows:

(1)    A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be:

        (d)   careless.

EVIDENCE:

Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, had Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson, show the incident on the available video replays. He pointed out 300 metres after the start, GEMMA FLITZ, ridden by Mr Cooper, racing in 3rd or 4th position in a tightly-racing field, improving to the inside of TENGIZ and, in behind, was MAGNETO. INSATIABLE (Liam Riordan) was racing to the outside of TENGIZ.

Mr Davidson showed that Mr Cooper was “pressuring” TENGIZ, which was trying to resist. He had only shifted slightly, but just enough to put pressure on that runner, and force it out into the running of MAGNETO, which was checked out of it.

Mr Laking said that Mr Cooper had come from behind TENGIZ. His mount had laid out when it put its head in front. He had tried to keep the pressure off Ms Hercock. He submitted that his horse was green, which did not help, and he was guilty of an error of judgement in putting a bit much pressure on Ms Hercock.

DECISION:

The breach having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Oatham said that Mr Cooper has six previous of the Careless Riding Rule:

23 December 2023 at Waikato – mid-to-high level, suspended 6 days

2 June 2024 at Wingatui – mid-level, suspended 6 days

20 June 2024 at Oamaru – mid-level, suspended 7 days

22 June 2024 at Riccarton – low-mid (poor record), suspended 7 days

16 August 2024 at Oamaru – low-level (poor record), suspended 6 days

25 September 2024 at Timaru – low-level (poor record), suspended 7 days

This is not a good record, Mr Oatham said. In that period, Mr Cooper has had 269 rides. In this breach, there was not a lot of movement, but it did go on for some distance, without him making sufficient effort to relieve the pressure. Unfortunately, TENGIZ had been galloped on quite severely, Mr Oatham said. That is an aggravating factor, otherwise the carelessness is in the low-to-mid range, he said.

Mr Laking agreed that the breach was in the low-to mid range and that Mr Cooper’s record was not a good one. He had tried to pull his mount off Ms Hercock’s runner, he said.

Mr Cooper sought a deferment of suspension until after the meeting of South Canterbury RC on 21 November 2024.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Adjudicative Committee agrees that the carelessness was in the low-to-mid range. In terms of the RIB Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide (March 2024), the appropriate starting point for penalty is a 6-days suspension. Aggravating factors to be considered are Mr Cooper’s poor record and the unfortunate consequences to TENGIZ. For these factors, the starting point is uplifted to 11 days. The sole mitigating factor is Mr Cooper’s admission of the breach for which the Adjudicative Committee gives a 1-day discount from the adjusted starting point, resulting in a final penalty of a 10-days suspension.

CONCLUSION:

Class B Jockey, Donovan Cooper’s Licence to ride in races is suspended from 22 November 2024 to 5 December 2024, both dates inclusive – 10 National Riding Days.