Riverton RC 4 April 2026 – R9 – Floor Moerman

BACKGROUND

Following the running of Race 9, Class B Rider Floor Moerman admitted a breach of Rule 638(1)(d), in that she permitted her mount, VAMOS, to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of TAIMATE DIVA, which was checked near the 1900 metres.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides:

A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

At the start of the hearing, Ms Moerman confirmed her admission of the breach. She was assisted throughout the hearing by Apprentice Jockey Mentor, Jason Laking.

EVIDENCE

Senior Stipendiary Steward Mark Davidson invited his colleague, John Oatham, to use the available race videos to illustrate the alleged breach. Mr Oatham identified the Respondent, riding VAMOS, crossing from a wide draw to a 4-wide position soon after the start of the race.

As she moved down the track approaching the 1900 metre mark, Ms Moerman was shown crowding TAIMATE DIVA (Mereana Hudson, 3-wide), causing that horse to be checked. Ms Moerman was barely her own length clear of Ms Hudson clear when this incident occurred, Mr Oatham said.

Stewards said the pace slackened slightly at this early stage, which contributed to a “quite messy” arrangement as Riders attempted to secure their positions. Mr Oatham showed Ms Hudson in restricted room and running out slightly before promptly straightening TAIMATE DIVA. This was just prior to the interference from Ms Moerman.

Ms Moerman was shown turning her horse’s head out to relieve the pressure after checking TAIMATE DIVA. She said she had followed Yogesh Atchamah (riding BAUBLE) down the track and, in doing so, had not realised she was placing Ms Hudson in difficulty.

Mr Laking submitted that when the pace buttoned off, Ms Moerman was taken by surprise by her proximity to Ms Hudson. “I don’t believe Floor’s got in there just to be annoying or knock anyone down,” he said. “It’s taken her by surprise. As soon as she knew there was a bit of pressure inside her, she’s relieved it straight away.”

Mr Laking also referred to TAIMATE DIVA overracing and moving out slightly just before the interference. He believed this was a contributing factor.

DECISION

As Ms Moerman has admitted the breach, it is found to be proved.

PENALTY SUBMISSIONS

Stewards produced the Respondent’s record, which evidenced two previous breaches of the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months:

• 14 December 2025 at Wellington – suspended for 4 days (low range); and
• 22 March 2026 at Tauherenikau – suspended for 4 days (low range).

Ms Moerman was a sought-after Apprentice Jockey who had taken 414 rides nationwide in the last 12 months, Mr Davidson said.

Stewards believed this latest breach involved a low degree of carelessness.

Mr Laking agreed the grading of the breach should be pitched at low-range. He submitted Ms Moerman was only half a stride away from avoiding the trouble she had caused. He emphasised the slackening of pace at a critical stage and outward movement by Ms Hudson as contributing factors.

Ms Moerman requested a deferment of any possible suspension, to allow her to ride up to and including the Riccarton Park meeting on 11 April 2026.

REASONS FOR PENALTY

The Adjudicative Committee assesses the breach to be low range. The Respondent’s shift inwards is not abrupt and interferes with one other horse at an early stage of the race. Ms Moerman is not her length and another clear of TAIMATE DIVA, as required by the Rules, when she moves down the track seeking a more economical run.

It is accepted by the Adjudicative Committee that a slowing of the pace and some outward movement from TAIMATE DIVA are contributing factors. However, Ms Moerman bears the responsibility for not shifting ground with the required care.

The Racing Integrity Board’s Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide suggests a starting point of a 5-day suspension for careless riding found to be in the low range. The Adjudicative Committee adopts this as the starting point.

This is Ms Moerman’s third breach of the Rule in less than four months. Today’s lapse comes just two weeks after her previous careless riding breach. Although all three breaches are graded as low range, and although Ms Moerman is a very busy Apprentice Rider, the frequency with which she is appearing on careless riding charges in recent times is of some concern.

In these circumstances, the Adjudicative Committee finds Ms Moerman’s record is an aggravating factor that warrants a 1-day uplift.

Admission of the breach is a mitigating factor, for which Ms Moerman is afforded a 1-day reduction in the period of suspension. This offsets the 1-day uplift and brings the penalty to a suspension of 5 national riding days.

CONCLUSION

The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted. Class B Rider Floor Moerman is suspended from riding in races from 12 April to 18 April 2026 (inclusive). This is 5 national riding days.