Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 28 July 2023 – R2 – Brandon May

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 2, Harcourts Holmwood Maiden, Class A Jockey, Brandon May, admitted a charge of careless riding in that, as the Rider of IRISH MOSS in the race, he permitted his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of MASTERCHEF (Jason Laking) which was checked approaching the 1200 metres.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides:

A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson, had Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, show a video replay of the incident, approximately 400 metres after the start of the 1600 metres race.  Mr Oatham pointed out IRISH MOSS, racing 2nd and one out, and MASTERCHEF, ridden by Mr Laking, racing 3rd on the fence. Approaching the 1200 metres, Mr May looked to his inside on two occasions, prior to shifting in, shifted in into the line of Mr Laking’s mount, which was checked and made contact with the running rail. Mr May immediately relieved the pressure, but it was after the interference had already occurred, Mr Oatham said.

Mr Laking’s mount had been racing “reasonably keenly”, Mr Oatham said. The Respondent was only his own length clear when he shifted in, he said.

The Respondent said that he offered no excuses but explained that, when he first looked, there was more room than when he eventually made the move. He assumed that, with the bend coming up, Mr Laking would likely be “taking a sit” with the gap and his forward movement. Mr Laking called to him but it was too late, he said.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Davidson said that the Respondent has three previous breaches of the Careless Riding Rule on his record – on 17 September 2022 at Riccarton (suspended 6 days for low-level breach), on 7 January 2023 at Kumara (suspended 5 days for low-level breach) and, most recently, on 18 May 2023 at Riccarton (suspended 5 days for a low-level defended breach).

The Respondent has had 213 rides this season, Mr Davidson said.

Mr Davidson submitted that the breach was mid-level. The Respondent was never more than his own bare length clear and the interference caused Mr Laking’s mount to be checked and contact the running rail. The Adjudicative Committee should take a 7 or 8 days suspension as, at least, a mid-range starting point, he said.

Finally, Mr Davidson told the Adjudicative Committee that the Respondent has a term of suspension commencing after today’s meeting and ending on 25 August 2023.

The Respondent had no submission to make concerning penalty.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The breach is assessed by the Adjudicative Committee as mid-range careless riding. The Respondent was never more than his own length clear of Mr Laking’s mount, having wrongly anticipated what Mr Laking was likely to do.

The starting point in the RIB Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide (February 2023) for a mid-range breach is a 7-days suspension.

The Respondent’s riding record is not great, but the Adjudicative Committee is prepared, perhaps somewhat generously, to regard it as neutral. The Respondent is given a 1-day discount from the starting point for his admission of the breach. The term of suspension is, therefore, 6 days.

CONCLUSION:

The Respondent, Class A Jockey, Brandon May, is suspended for 6 national riding days to commence on 26 August 2023 and ending after the close of racing on 3 September 2023.