Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 23 February 2024 – R3 – Bailey Rogerson

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 3, the Respondent Class B Rider Bailey Rogerson admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of “MORE THAN WORDS she allowed her mount to shift in dictating GOLDEN HARVEST inwards onto O’JESSICA and ANGELS WINGS, who were crowded passing the 100m.  

The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach.

Miss Rogerson was assisted at the hearing by NZTR Apprentice Mentor, Jason Laking.

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 Miss Rogerson, riding MORE THAN WORDS, racing mid track and in contention approaching the 100m with GOLDEN HARVEST, ridden by Lee Callaway, O’JESSICA, ridden by Jasmine Fawcett and ANGELS WINGS ridden by Ashvin Goindasamy, racing to the inside of Miss Rogerson.  Using available replays, Mr Davidson showed Miss Rogerson use the whip on MORE THAN WORDS, who was hanging in at the time and as a result, shifted in onto GOLDEN HARVEST, who was dictated in onto O’JESSICA and ANGELS WINGS, who were both crowded for room, having to ease. Mr Davidson stated that both these horses were beaten runners at the time of the incident.

In response, Mr Laking, for the Respondent, stated that Miss Rogerson had straightened her mount prior to the incident, but had used the whip on a further occasion with the result that, MORE THAN WORDS shifted into the rightful running line of GOLDEN HARVEST, causing the incident. He added that Miss Rogerson had misjudged the situation.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham stated that Miss Rogerson’s record showed 2 previous breaches over the prior 12 months, being at Trentham on 11 March 2023 – a 7 day suspension, nearly 12 months ago and Matamata –  where a 5 day suspension was imposed. Mr Oatham added that Miss Rogerson’s riding statistics shows she has had 367 rides over the previous 12 months. He submitted that Miss Rogerson’s penalty record could be considered as a good.

Mr Oatham said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low-range and submitted a starting point as per the Penalty Guide of a 5  day starting point.

The Respondent advised of riding engagements through until 2 March 2024 at Wingatui and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent elected to make no submissions.

Reasons for Penalty:

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

The Respondent’s good riding record is treated as an mitigating factor and in conjunction with her frank admission of the breach, a combined discount was warranted. This combined discount was set at 1 day.

After consideration of the above factors, a 4-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted until after racing on 2 March 2024 at Wingatui, and her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 national days commencing after racing on 2 March, and concluding after racing on 8 March 2024.