Taranaki RI 14 May 2022 -R3 – Lisa Allpress

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 3, an Information was lodged by Mr N Goodwin alleging a breach of Rule 638(1)(d) in that L Allpress (RAFFLE) improved into a narrow run that had not fully developed resulting in CHIKIRA LASS (D Turner) being dictated into CASAQUINMAN (K Hercock) which was checked near the 150 metres.

Mrs Allpress acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed that she did not admit the breach.

In response to a question from the Chair both Mr Goodwin and Mrs Allpress stated they would not be calling witnesses.

Rule 638(1) (d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Judicial Committee considers to be careless.

Using the available race films Mr Goodwin said the Stewards’ case was quite simple. Rounding the home turn Mrs Allpress was in behind the leaders seeking a run. Instead of being patient she commenced to improve into a narrow gap between BOLD MAC (J Parkes) and CHIKIRA LASS (D Turner). Mr Parkes (BOLD MAC) came outwards as Mrs Allpress continued to improve up into the gap. This caused an outward shift of Mrs Allpress onto Mr Turner who in turn moved into the line of CASAQUINMAN who was checked. Mr Goodwin said he was all for competitive riding but it had to be done safely, and the Stewards did not believe there was a sufficient gap available for Mrs Allpress. If she had not gone for the gap the incident would not have happened.

In response to a question from the Committee Mr Goodwin said that Mr Turner, when questioned by the Stewards after the race, and who was directly outside Mrs Allpress, did not have much to say about the incident

In response, Mrs Allpress said she had been waiting patiently for a run, and while the gap was narrow there was enough room for her to go there.  She was already committed to the gap when BOLD MAC (J Parkes) moved outwards. Mrs Allpress called out to Mr Parkes “go straight, go straight” but his horse proceeded to step out half a horse width. Mrs Allpress argued it was competitive riding, not careless, and if Mr Parkes had not moved out the incident would not have happened.

Decision:

Head and side-on films were viewed multiple times at both normal and slow speed.  In order to find the charge of careless riding proved the Committee had to be sure that Mrs Allpress forced a gap where there wasn’t one, and that this action precipitated the concertina effect culminating in CASAQUINMAN being checked.

The head-on film shows a narrow gap between J Parkes on the inside and D Turner on the outside which Mrs Allpress rides her mount into. In her evidence Mrs Allpress said that she was almost alongside Mr Turner when Mr Parkes’ mount stepped outwards, and although Mr Turner was not called as a witness the films support that assertion.  The movement from Mr Parkes was slight (approximately half a horse width) but with already tight racing room this was sufficient to compound the movement outwards of both Mrs Allpress and Mr Turner into the line of Ms Hercock (CASAQUINMAN) who was checked. The Stewards said the incident would not have happened had Mrs Allpress not taken the gap. Mrs Allpress said the incident would not have happened had Mr Parkes not moved outwards.

The Committee found support for both these statements. Mrs Allpress went for a very narrow gap but as she did so Mr Parkes moved slightly off his line narrowing it further. Both these events unfolded quickly with the resultant interference being relatively minor.

Mrs Allpress is a highly experienced, competitive and skillful rider. The Committee found that although there was crowding and some interference it was difficult to attribute it completely to Mrs Allpress.

Conclusion – Penalty:

There was not sufficient evidence produced to prove the charge of careless riding against Mrs Allpress, therefore the charge is dismissed.