Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 10 August 2022 – R2 – John Parsons

Evidence:

The Applicant, Stipendiary Steward Mark Davidson filed an Information pursuant to Rule 614(2) alleging that Trainers John & Karen Parsons were neglectful in saddling MAMMA SANS by omitting a pad in Race number 2.

Stable representative, Khan McDonald, was present at the hearing and confirmed admission of the breach.

Rule 614(2) provides:

– A person must not be neglectful or careless in saddling a horse.

Mr Mark Davidson advised that LOCKRAAR’s Rider weighed in .3kg light when weighing in on return to the weighing room after the Race. He said an investigation revealed that a small pad had dislodged from the saddle after the Rider of the horse had handed over the saddle. Mr Davidson added that it was the responsibility of the Trainer to ensure the saddling of the horse was completed correctly.

Stable representative, Mr McDonald made no submissions in regard to the breach.

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).

Submission for Penalty:

Mr Davidson said  that previous historic breaches of this Rule where a towel or pad had been omitted from saddling had resulted in fines between $100 and $150.

Mr Mr Davidson submitted that a fine of between $100 and $150 be considered as penalty.

The Respondent agreed that a fine would be an appropriate penalty.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Adjudicative Committee considered the submissions and for consistency took some guidance from previous penalties for similar breaches.

Historic penalties for similar offences resulted in fines of between $100 and $150 where there were no aggravating factors, as in this case.

The Adjudicative Committee determined that a $150 is an appropriate penalty.

Penalty:

The Respondent is fined $150.