Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 18 May 2023 – R9 – Brandon May

EVIDENCE:

Following the running of Race 9, an Information was presented by Stipendiary Steward Ms Veronica Algar, alleging a breach of Rule 638(1)(d) by Jockey Brandon May.

Mr May stated he understood the Rule and the charge, and he confirmed he denied the breach.

Ms Algar had Mr Oatham identify Mr May (SHOW BAZZ), drawn the outside barrier, and Mr Mudhoo (VENTURESOME), drawn 6 in the 1200m race.

Mr Oatham said Mr May, approaching the 1000m, has ridden across MISS NICO BELLE (C Barnes), by a slim margin and has shifted into the racing line of Mr Mudhoo, who had to check. Mr Oatham said Mr May was a bare length clear as he made his manoeuvre.

Ms Algar called Mr Krishna Mudhoo as the Stewards’ witness and he stated he was intending to follow SECRETXPRESS (K Williams), but Mr May had angled in on him, forcing him to check. He said he lost ground, and Mr May had taken his position behind Ms Williams.

Mr May asked Mr Mudhoo if he had intended to follow Ms Williams, or to follow the horse to her inside, as it appeared to him that was his intention. Mr Mudhoo said he was always intending to follow Ms Williams.

Mr May said he had assessed, when riding forward, where each horse would be positioned, and he said he fully expected Mr Mudhoo to shift inside Ms Williams. He said he believed Mr Mudhoo was easing to shift further in, and not because of the inward movement of himself. He said it looks like the check was his fault, but he didn’t think it was.

Ms Algar in summing up, said the Stewards were confident in their evidence and would rest their case.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The essence of the charge is, did Mr May have his length and another before crossing Mr Mudhoo, irrespective of where Mr May thought the other Riders should have been positioning their horses.

From viewing the videos and listening to Mr Mudhoo, the only answer the Adjudicative Committee can arrive at is, he was not, and accordingly, find the charge proved.

DECISION:

The Charge is found to be proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Ms Algar stated Mr May has 2 previous charges on his record in the last 12 months.

17 September 2022 at Riccarton, suspended for 6 days – low range.

7 January 2023 at Kumara, suspended for 5 days – low range.

Ms Algar said this breach is also assessed at low range.

Mr May made no submissions on Penalty, other than to ask to start any suspension after the 26 May 2023.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Penalty Guidelines provide for a 5-day suspension for a low range Careless Riding breach.

Mr May has chosen to defend the charge, somewhat frivolously, and the Adjudicative Committee sees no reason to depart from the Guidelines in the circumstances of this case, and find a 5 day suspension as an appropriate penalty.

CONCLUSION:

Deferment is granted and Mr May’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for 5 days from the conclusion of racing on the 26 May 2023, up to and including racing on the 3 June 2023.