Taranaki RI 16 February 2024 – R3 – Tegan Newman

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 3, the Respondent Class A Rider Ms T Newman admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that she permitted her mount GENTIAN BLUE to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of MOLASSES which was checked near the 250m.

The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach.

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

Using the available race films, Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

He showed Ms Newman and Ms O’Malley rounding the bend together, with Ms Newman on the outside of the two runners.  Ms O’Malley’s horse was hanging and Ms Newman was travelling the better of the two horses. As she went to go past Ms O’Malley, Ms Newman moved inwards, causing  a check to MOLASSES.  Mr Oatham said Ms Newman was barely 3/4 length clear when crossed.

In response, Ms Newman said she could see that it was a difficult mount for Ms O’Malley and agreed that she had moved inwards, but maintained the check was not too bad.

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Goodwin produced Ms Newman’s riding record which indicated two  previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely 16/10/23 and 4/10/23.

Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range.

Ms Newman advised of riding engagements through until Saturday February 24th and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

In terms of any proposed penalty, she submitted that it was difficult to get rides at the moment and she had a mortgage to pay.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be in the low range and adopted a 5-day suspension as the starting point, in accordance with the NZTR Penalty Guide as of February 2023.

The available films clearly established that Ms Newman was not the required distance clear of Ms O’Malley when she moved inwards, with her actions appearing to be a slight misjudgment by the Respondent.

Ms Newman’s riding record is treated as a mitigating factor and a 1-day reduction was applied to the 5-day starting point for her admission of the breach and record.

After consideration of the above factors, a 4-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

Ms Newman’s request for a deferment is granted and her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days, commencing after racing on Saturday February 24th and concluding after racing on Sunday March 3rd 2024.