Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 12 November 2025 – R6 – Floor Moerman

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 6, the Respondent Class B Rider Floor Moerman admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of MASTER MARKO, “she allowed her mount to shift in when not clear of  SUNSET BOULEVARD, which was crowded and checked near the 1800m.  

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

Mis Moerman 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, Veronica Fisher, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. Mrs Fisher pointed out Miss Moerman, riding MASTER MAKO, racing 3 wide with SUNSET BOULEVARD, ridden by  Tina Comignaghi and MR INTELLIGENCE, ridden by Kate Hercock, racing to the inside of Miss Moerman, approaching the 1800, with TREYBON, ridden by Donovan Cooper, to the outside of Miss Moerman.  Mrs Fisher showed on the replays, that Miss Moerman shifted ground inwards when not clear of Miss Comignaghi, who was crowded and had to check. The films showed that Mr Cooper to the outside of Miss Moerman, did not contribute to the incident.

In response, the Respondent, with the assistance of Mr Laking, stated that the 2000m start was awkward, with a bend and the crossing to contend with, over the early part of the race. Miss Moerman stated that she was watching Mr Cooper to her outside, which she agreed had distracted her and then had misjudged her movement in, when not clear of Miss Comignaghi.

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 Moerman’s record in regard to this Rule, showed 1 previous breach, being 11 January 2025 at Kumara, where she received a 5 day suspension for a low to mid range offence. Mr Oatham added that Miss Moerman’s statistics showed 256 over the prior 12 months.

Mr Oatham said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low to mid range and submitted a starting point as per the Penalty Guide, of a 6-day starting point.

The Respondent advised of riding engagements through until 23 November at Ascot Park 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 to mid range and accordingly, adopted a 6-day suspension as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide.

There were no aggravating factors to consider, therefore no uplift in penalty was warranted.

Miss Moerman’s frank admission of the breach and her good record warrants a discount, 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 until after racing on 23 November 2025 at Ascot Park, with her Licence to ride in races suspended for a period of 5 national days, commencing after racing on 23 November 2025 and concluding after racing on 3 December 2025.