Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 4 May 2023 – R7 – Lee Callaway

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 7, the Respondent, Class A Rider Lee Callaway, admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of EL ROSEAY, he permitted his mount to shift inwards crowding YEAH RIGHT, which struck a heel and blundered approaching the 100m.  

The Respondent acknowledged he  understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach.

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 Ms Algar, with the assistance of Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr Oatham, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Mr Oatham said that approaching the 100 metre mark, the Respondent has shifted ground inwards when under a ride and has crowded YEAH RIGHT, who was attempting to take a marginal gap inside Mr Callaway. As a result, YEAH RIGHT has clipped the heels of MISS BRITTANY, who was immediately ahead of YEAH RIGHT, and blundered. Mr Oatham stated that the movement by Mr Callaway was minimal being only 1/2 a horse width.

In response, the Respondent stated that the movement was minimal and that YEAH RIGHT was taking a tight gap, which turned his horse inwards, contributing to the incident.

Decision:

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

Submission for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward, Ms Algar, produced the Respondent’s riding record which indicated 3 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely Riccarton – 13 August 2022 – 5 days, Ashburton – 19 January 2023 – 5 days and Riccarton – 22 April 2023 – 4 days.

Stipendiary Steward Ms Algar, said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low – range due to low level of movement by Mr Callaway and the mitigating factor that YEAH RIGHT, was at the time, attempting to take a marginal gap.

The Respondent advised of riding engagements through until 6 May 2023 and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

The Respondent elected to make no submissions in regard to penalty apart from seeking the deferment.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee agreed with the Stewards and 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 riding record is treated as an aggravating factor due to the fact that it was only 10 days since his last breach, with a 1-day uplift warranted. In mitigation, a reduction was applied to the 5-day starting point for his frank admission of the breach, which was set at 1 day.

After consideration of the above factors, a 5-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 National Days, commencing after racing on 6 May 2023 and concluding after racing on 13 May 2023.