South Canterbury RC 6 October 2023 – R10 – Jasmine Fawcett

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 10, Celebrating Phar Lap Handicap, Class A Jockey, Jasmine Fawcett, admitted a breach of Rule 638(1)(d) in that, as the Rider of YOUNEVERKNOW in the race, she rode carelessly when permitting her mount to shift outwards when not clear of NAMIBIA MISS (Kozzi Asano) which was checked near the 600 metres.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides:

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

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Veronica Algar, had Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, show the incident on available video replays. He pointed out YOUNEVERKNOW, ridden by the Respondent, racing in a mid-field position against the rail, with NAMIBIA MISS, ridden by Mr Asano, racing to her outside. PRISMATIC (Warren Kennedy) was racing 3-wide outside those runners.

Passing the 600 metres, the Respondent came away from the rail resulting in Mr Asano’s mount being placed in an awkward position, forcing Mr Asano to check off her heels. Mr Kennedy’s mount was tight to the outside of Mr Asano’s mount, so Mr Asano had nowhere to go, Mr Oatham said.

The Respondent expressed regret at the incident. She explained that she had misjudged the situation. A gap had presented to the outside and she did not realise that Mr Asano was as close as he was.

DECISION:

The breach having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Ms Algar said the charge is the Respondent’s seventh under the Careless Riding Rule. She outlined those as follows:

1 November 2022 at Auckland TR – suspended 7 days for low-mid breach (poor record);

27 November 2022 at Otago – suspended 7 days for mid-range breach (poor record);

11 February 2023 at Riccarton – suspended 7 days for mid-range breach;

18 March 2023 at Wellington – suspended 11 days for mid-range breach (placed in Group 1);

18 March 2023 at Wellington – suspended 10 days for above mid-range breach (placed 4th in Listed Race); and

20 July 2023 at Hastings – suspended 7 days for low-range breach (poor record).

The Respondent has had 468 rides in the last 12 months, Ms Algar said. Stewards saw the level of carelessness as being mid-range on this occasion.

The Respondent said that, at Hastings, she had been given credit by the Adjudicative Committee for improving her record since working with the Rider Skills Review Panel.

The Respondent requested a deferment of any suspension until after the meeting of Rotorua RC on 16 October 2023.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Adjudicative Committee assessed the level of carelessness as being in the mid-range. The RIB Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide (February 2023) provides for a starting point for penalty for such a breach of a 7-days suspension. An uplift is appropriate for the Respondent’s record of careless riding and this is set at 2 days.

A discount from that adjusted starting point of 9 days for the Respondent’s admission of the breach is appropriate, and the Adjudicative Committee sets that discount at 1 day.

CONCLUSION:

The Respondent’s application for a deferment is granted. She is suspended from riding in races under her Class A Jockey’s Licence from after the close of racing on 16 October 2023, up to and including 27 October 2023 – 8 national riding days.