Taranaki RI 16 August 2025 – R8 (heard 17 August 2025 at Woodville) – Sima Mxothwa

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 8, the “JAMES HARDIE R65, 2000m” at the Taranaki RC meeting the previous day on 16 August 2025, Mr Goodwin presented an Information charging Mr Mxothwa with careless riding in breach of Rule 638(1)(d).

This following upon a protest Information being upheld so as to relegate the first placed horse, “OUR LADY BROOKE”, ridden by Mr Mxothwa, to second place by reason of interference as defined in the Rules to “TAI”, which finished a clear second.  As Mr Mxothwa had left the racecourse, the Information was simply opened, and hearing of it was fixed for today, 17 August 2025 at Woodville.

Mr Mxothwa admitted the charge.

The race films clearly illustrate the type and degree of careless riding.  Mr Mxothwa’s mount “OUR LADY BROOKE” was commencing a challenge for the lead when about 250 metres from the finish.  It was racing erratically and running about under pressure.  It ran in towards several horses inside it.  Mr Mxothwa corrected this movement, but then allowed his mount to shift inwards when insufficiently clear of “DOJAKATA”, ridden by Mr K Chowdhoory, who had to severely check his mount.  This resulted in crowding and hampering of “TAI” (Ms K Hercock) to the inside of “DOJAKATA”, over the final stages of the race.  “TAI” recovered to finish strongly into second place, a nose from “OUR LADY BROOKE”.  As already mentioned, the protest by the connections of “TAI” was upheld.

Decision:

As the charge was admitted, it was deemed proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Goodwin advised that Mr Mxothwa had incurred only one suspension for careless riding in 95 rides and had always displayed a positive and cooperative approach to the Stipendiary Stewards.  He submitted that a suspension was required, given that the offending resulted in a successful protest and relegation of Mr Mxothwa’s mount.

Ms Clapperton said that Mr Mxothwa, being a young Apprentice, was trying too hard to win the race and became over excited when that became a distinct possibility.  He had first corrected the movement and erred only in allowing it to reoccur.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Adjudicative Committee concludes that the carelessness fell between the low and medium range.  From a starting point of a suspension of 6 National Riding Days, an uplift of 1 day is required to reflect the fact of the relegation of his mount.

Mr Mxothwa had received a suspension of 7 National Riding Days, to end on 29 August 2025, for an earlier breach of the Whip Rule.  Consequently, this suspension of 7 National Riding Days is to commence after that concludes.

Conclusion:

Mr Mxothwa’s Licence to ride is further suspended for 7 days from the end of racing on 29 August 2025, to the end of racing on 10 September 2025.