South Canterbury RC 16 July 2021 – R 4 – Megan Taylor

EVIDENCE:

Following the running of Race 4, the South Canterbury Saddlery Dash 1200m, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr M Davidson, against Class B Rider Miss Megan Taylor, alleging careless riding, in that she permitted her mount, DRAKE BAY, to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear of STRAIGHT SETS which was forced outwards striking a heel of HOLY LOCH and blundering near the 700m, dislodging Rider K Asano.

Rule 638(1)(d) reads as follows;

“(1) A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Judicial Committee considers to be:

    (d) careless”

Miss Taylor had indicated on the Information that this breach of the Rules was admitted, which she confirmed at the hearing. Miss Taylor also acknowledged that she understood the charge and the Rule it was brought under. Mr D Walsh, NZTR Apprentice Jockey Mentor, and Licensed Trainer Mr John Blackadder, assisted Miss Taylor at the hearing.

SUBMISSIONS:

Mr Davidson gave evidence and used video coverage, with the assistance of Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr J Oatham, to show that approaching the 700m, DRAKE BAY, ridden by Miss Taylor was racing in a rails position with STRAIGHT SETS, ridden by Mr K Asano outside and on the hind quarter of Miss Taylor with HOLY LOCH, ridden by Mr C Johnson on the outside of Mr Asano. Mr Oatham pointed out Miss Taylor shift out when not clear of STRAIGHT SETS, forcing that runner out onto the heels of HOLY LOCH. He said that STRAIGHT SETS then struck a heel of HOLY LOCH, blundered and dislodged Mr Asano. He added that thankfully Mr Asano was not injured in this incident.

Mr Walsh stated that the incident was clear on the films and that Miss Taylor had made an error of judgement.

REASON FOR DECISION:

As Miss Taylor had admitted the breach, the charge was found to be proved.

SUBMISSION FOR PENALTY:

Mr Davidson stated that Miss Taylor’s record was clear of any breaches during her time of race day riding. He stated that the Penalty Guide provided a 4-week suspension as a starting point for careless riding where a fall is involved. Mr Davidson stated that Miss Taylor’s frank admission of the breach and good record are factors to take into consideration.

Mr Walsh stated that there had been penalties imposed where a 3-week suspension had been imposed, after a fall was involved in a careless riding charge and consideration be given to that level of penalty to be imposed.

Miss Taylor requested a deferment of penalty until after 25 July at Oamaru where she had riding commitments.

REASON FOR PENALTY:

The Penalty Guide provides a 4-week suspension as a starting point for a breach of this Rule where a fall is involved. It was fortunate that Mr Asano and STRAIGHT SETS were not injured in this incident, although sometimes injuries do not present themselves until after a cooling down period. Other factors to consider were Miss Taylor’s frank admission of the breach and her clear record. Mr Walsh submitted that there had been some 3-week penalties imposed where a fall was involved in a careless riding charge. After searching the database, the Adjudicator could not find any penalties to substantiate this and in fact found that a 4-week suspension was the minimum penalty where a fall is involved in a charge.

After further consideration, the Adjudicator determined that a 4-week suspension was an appropriate penalty in this case.

Miss Taylor’s application for a deferment of penalty until after racing at Oamaru on 25 July 2021 was granted.

 CONCLUSIONS:

Accordingly, Miss Taylor’s Class B Licence is suspended from conclusion of racing 25 July 2021 up to and including 22 August 2021.