Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 20 April 2024 – R8 (heard 21 April 2024 at Hawera) – Lily Sutherland

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 8, the Respondent, Class B Rider Ms L Sutherland, admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that she allowed her mount “NO RAIN EVER” to shift outwards passing the 600 metres, with “QUICK CALL” being crowded and checked.

Ms Sutherland had a plane to catch back to the North Island therefore the charge was heard prior to racing at Hawera today, Sunday 21 April 2024. Ms Sutherland acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach. Her employer, Mr K Myers, was present to assist.

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, Stipendiary Steward Mr Goodwin demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

He showed where approaching the 600 metre mark, Ms Sutherland angled her mount out when not sufficiently clear of the horse to her outside, ridden by Ms Fawcett. Ms Fawcett had to take a hold of her mount, but told the Stewards she wasn’t badly affected. She confirmed there was no inward movement from the horse on her outside.

In response, Mr Myers said the horse in front of Ms Sutherland came out. If that horse had kept a straight line, Ms Sutherland would not have had to come out to the degree she did.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Coppins produced Ms Sutherland’s riding record which indicated one previous breach under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely December 2023.

The Respondent has had 636 mounts in the past 12 months.

Stipendiary Steward Mr Goodwin said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range, and added that Ms Sutherland never gives the Stewards any trouble.

Reasons for Penalty:

The available films clearly established that Ms Sutherland moved outwards when insufficiently clear of Ms Fawcett’s mount. Mr Myers pointed to some outward movement from a horse in front of her, but the fact is that if Ms Sutherland had not moved out, the incident would not have happened. The interference was mild, and only affected the one runner.

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined Ms Sutherland’s carelessness to be in the low range and adopted a 5-day (suspension) as the starting point, in accordance with the NZTR Penalty Guide as of March 2024.

The Respondent’s excellent riding record under the Careless Riding Rule is treated as a mitigating factor, and a 1-day reduction was applied to the 5-day starting point for her admission of the breach and record. It is usual to apply an uplift for breaches occuring in Black-Type Races, therefore 1 day was added to account for the Listed status of the race.

The Penalty Guide also provides for fines to be added as a percentage of the Jockey’s share of stake when the offence occurs in a Black Type Race. Ms Sutherland’s share for winning the Listed NZ Bloodstock Warstep Stakes was $2,300.

After considering all factors, a 5-day suspension and a fine comprising  approximately 50% of her winnings, was considered appropriate.

Conclusion:

Ms Sutherland incurred a suspension yesterday at Riccarton for excessive use of the whip, which will end on 5 May 2024. Today’s suspension for careless riding will follow that. Accordingly, Ms Sutherland’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of a further 5 days, commencing after racing on 5 May 2024 and concluding after racing on Sunday 12 May 2024. In addition, she is fined the sum of $1,000.