Riccarton Park – Hororata 26 March 2022 – R8 – Brett Murray

ID: RIB8249

Respondent(s):
Brett Murray - Jockey

Applicant:
Mr M Davidson - Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Dave Anderson

Persons Present:
Mr Davidson, Ms Veronica Algar, Mr David Wadley - Stipendiary Stewards and Mr Murray

Information Number:
A12569

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Allowed his mount FETTERCAIRN to shift out when not clear of SAVEZAR which was crowded and checked passing the 150 metres.

Rule(s):
638(1)(d) - Riding/driving infringement - Careless Riding

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
FETTERCAIRN

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
26/03/2022

Race Club:
Canterbury Jockey Club

Race Location:
Riccarton Park - 165 Racecourse Road, Christchurch,

Race Number:
R8

Hearing Date:
26/03/2022

Hearing Location:
Riccarton Racecourse, Christchurch.

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Jockey Brett Murray is suspended for 5 National Riding Days.

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 8, the Respondent Class A Rider Mr Brett Murray admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of FETTERCAIRN he shifted ground when insufficiently clear of SAVEZAR. 

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 Mr Davidson with the assistance of Ms Algar, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson said that approaching the 150 metre mark the Respondent has shifted ground when only a bare length clear checking SAVEZAR.

In response, the Respondent stated it was an important race and he was travelling better than any other runner. He said he should have been a little more patient.

Decision:

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

Submission for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson produced the Respondent Mr Murray’s riding record which indicated one previous breach under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely last October where he incurred a 5-day suspension for a low-level breach.

The Respondent Mr Murray has had 208 mounts since that indiscretion, a very good record.

Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low to mid-range.

In terms of any proposed penalty, Respondent Mr Murray submitted he would prefer to start any suspension immediately.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions the Adjudicator determined Respondent Mr Murray’s carelessness to be in the low-range and adopted a 5-day suspension as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 1 March 2022).

The available films clearly established that the Respondent Mr Murray has been a stride or two too early in shifting his mount outwards and the consequence being a check to what the Stewards described as a beaten runner.

The Respondent’s riding record is treated as a mitigating factor and a 1-day reduction was applied to the 5-day starting point for his frank admission of the breach and his record.

Rule 920(2) empowers an Adjudicative Committee in imposing a penalty, to have due regard to such matters as it considers appropriate including (a) the Status of the Race; (b) the stake payable in respect of the Race; and / or (c) the consequences.  On this occasion, due to the status of the race, the Adjudicative Committee applied a 1-day uplift.

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

Conclusion – Penalty:

The Respondent’s licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 days commencing after racing today 26th March 2022 and concluding after racing on 7th April 2022.

Decision Date: 26/03/2022

Publish Date: 28/03/2022