Riccarton Park – Hororata 22 March 2025 – R8 – Kylie Williams

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 8, Donaldson Brown South Island Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (Group 3), the Respondent Class A Rider Kylie Williams admitted a charge of careless riding, which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged “that as the Rider of THIRD DECREE “she allowed her mount to shift in when not sufficiently  of LUCIENNE, who was crowded and checked near the 1200 metres”. 

The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her 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, 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 Ms Williams, riding THIRD DECREE racing widest on the track with LUCIENNE, ridden by Rohan Mudhoo, racing to the inside of THIRD DECREE, approaching the 1200m. The replays showed Ms Williams looking to shift in, in front of Mr Mudhoo and eventually when doing so, was not clear of Mr Mudhoo, who was crowded and had to check near the 1200m. Mr Davidson stated that the replays showed that Ms Williams was only a bare length ahead of Mr Mudhoo, when shifting into his rightful running.

In response, the Respondent stated that she looked on a couple of occasions before shifting across and believed she was clear. She said Mr Mudhoo’s mount was over racing, which did not help the situation. Ms Williams added that Mr Mudhoo did not call out to her, which she had expected he would do, if placed in restricted room.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Oatham produced the Respondent Ms Williams’ riding record, which indicated 4 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely;

28 April 2024 – Wingatui (4 days) – low level

22 June 2024 – Riccarton (4 days) – low level

21 July 2024 – Oamaru (4 days) – low level

12 October 2024 – Ashburton (4 days) – low level

Mr Oatham stated that Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the mid-range and submitted a starting point as per the Penalty Guide of a 7 day starting point. He added that Ms Williams had 441 rides over the previous 12 months.

Mr Oatham said that the race was a Group 3 event and with that status, consideration should be given to an uplift in penalty.

The Respondent elected to make no submissions in regard to penalty, apart from requesting any suspension begin as soon as possible.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent Ms Williams’ carelessness to be in the mid range and accordingly, adopted a 7-day suspension as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide.

The Respondent’s riding record, despite 4 previous offences, is treated as a neutral factor, as it has been 5 months since her last breach in October 2024.

The status of the race being Group 3, is an aggravating factor and a 1-day uplift was applied to the 7-day starting point. In mitigation, Ms Williams’ frank admission of the breach warrants a discount, which the Adjudicative Committee set at 1 day.

After consideration of the above factors, a 7-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 7 National Days, commencing after racing today, 22 March 2025 and concluding after racing on 3 April 2025.