Riverton RC 10 April 2023 – R2 – Lily Sutherland
ID: RIB18424
Animal Name:
She’s A Con
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
10/04/2023
Race Club:
Riverton RC
Race Location:
Riverton Racecourse - State Highway 99, Riverton,
Race Number:
R2
Hearing Date:
10/04/2023
Hearing Location:
Riverton Racecourse
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Apprentice Jockey Lily Sutherland was suspended for 5 National riding days
BACKGROUND
Following the running of Race 2, The Insurance Brokers Alliance / Lawson Forestry Contracting, an Information was lodged by Stipendiary Steward Miss Rebecca Haley, alleging that Apprentice Jockey Lily Sutherland, the Rider of “SHE’S A CON”, struck her mount six times prior to the 100 metres.
The Respondent Miss Sutherland, admitted a breach of Rule 638(3)(g)(i) and confirmed she understood the Rule.
Miss Michelle Northcott supported Miss Sutherland at the hearing.
Rule 638(3) provides:-
(g) Subject to other requirements this rule 638(3), in a flat Race or trial (including jump outs and/or tests for certification purposes), a Rider must not:
(i) strike a horse with a whip more than 5 times prior to the 100 metre mark (other than a slapping motion down the shoulder with the whip hand remaining on the reins.
EVIDENCE
Stipendiary Steward, Miss Rebecca Hayley asked Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson to show replays of the incident. Mr Davidson highlighted “SHE’S A CON” being struck by the whip 6 times from the 350 metre mark to the 100 metre mark.
Mr Davidson said the last strike was about 20 metres from the 100 metre mark.
Miss Sutherland stated that this was only her second day riding on the Riverton track which has a very long straight, her first ride being on the first day on Saturday where she had 8 rides.
She stated her horse was struggling a bit down the straight, and she had made an error of judgement and had not been counting the strikes
DECISION
The charge is admitted and is therefore deemed proved.
SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY
Miss Haley stated that Miss Sutherland’s record was not great, having had 4 previous breaches of this Rule, 15/10/2022 – 6 days suspension, 9/11/2022 – 8 days suspension, 10/11/2022 – 10 days suspension, and 9/3/2023 – 3 days suspension.
Miss Sutherland commenced her riding career on 14/4/2022 and has had 412 lifetime rides with 34 winning rides.
Mr Davidson stated that Miss Sutherland was riding throughout the country, therefore any penalty given would be significantly financial to her. He noted also that she was not an aggressive Rider.
Miss Sutherland requested a deferment of any penalty from the conclusion of racing on 21/4/2023.
REASONS FOR PENALTY
The RIB Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide (February 2023), has a starting point of a 5 day suspension for a 5th breach.
The Respondent’s record has not been good, however she is a very busy Apprentice Jockey throughout New Zealand and many Jockeys are caught out by the deceptively long Riverton straight. She has not been aggressive in her approach with the whip and has only been 20 metres from the 100 metres with her last strike of the whip.
On this occasion, the Adjudicative Committee saw no need to uplift the penalty.
CONCLUSION
The Respondent, Apprentice Jockey Lily Sutherland, is suspended for 5 National riding days, from the conclusion of racing on 21/4/2023 to the conclusion of racing on 27/4/2023. The meetings include 22/4/2023 Pukekohe, 23/4/2023 Awapuni, 25/4/2023 Avondale, 26/4/2023 Hawera, and 27/4/2023 Timaru.
Miss Sutherland’s request for deferment is granted.
Decision Date: 10/04/2023
Publish Date: 11/04/2023