Taranaki RI 27 December 2024 – R6 – Yuga Okubo

Background:

Following the running of Race 6, the ‘Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series’, an Information was lodged alleging a breach of Rule 636(1)(b). Details are as follows:

‘failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure the horse APPROACHING is given full opportunity to win the race’.

Rule 636(1)(b) provides:

(1) A person:

(b) being the Rider of a horse in a Race, must take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the Race to ensure that his horse is given full opportunity to win the Race or obtain the best possible finishing place.

The Respondent, with the assistance of Ms Clapperton, confirmed to the Adjudicative Committee that he admitted the breach.

Evidence:

Using available film (side, front and rear), Stewards identified the incident. On entering the home straight, APPROACHING was positioned closest to, but 1-2 horse widths from, the fence. Mr Okubo is seen to strike his mount with his whip in the left hand. The horse then ducks in sharply toward the fence. From this point to the finish line, the horse is under a hand and heels ride. APPROACHING finished 3rd in the race, 3 1/4 lengths from the winner, with the margin between APPROACHING and the 4th placed horse, being 1/2 head. Stewards were concerned with the lack of urgency on the part of the Respondent, contending that the horse ‘could or may have’ otherwise finished in a higher placing.

Mr Okubo was asked for comment. After ducking in, he was forced to balance his mount. If he had continued to push, he was concerned the horse would create safety concerns for those horses to his outside. Ms Clapperton endorsed this, adding that when talking with Mr Okubo, he had expressed a concern that he did not want to cause any interference. This was Mr Okubo’s first day riding in New Zealand, with APPROACHING being his 2nd mount. He has been riding in Japan for 2 years and has had 314 race day rides.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

The Adjudicative Committee was referred to the current NZTR Penalty Guide. Stewards asked the Adjudicative Committee to consider a number of mitigating factors, including ready admission of the breach, Respondent status as an Apprentice and acknowledgment that this was his first day riding in New Zealand. Mr Okubo asked that any suspension imposed be deferred until after racing on 31 December 2024.

Reasons for Penalty:

Available film identified the alleged breach to the satisfaction of the Adjudicative Committee. After straightening his mount, the Respondent did not strike his horse again. This is not of concern. However, he displayed a distinct lack of required vigor, in not pushing his mount out. The Adjudicative Committee was satisfied with the Respondent’s explanation, in that his actions reflected the aforementioned concerns, rather than any other intent. Nonetheless, he does have a duty of care to comply with NZTR Rules.

The current NZTR Penalty Guide provides for a 6 week suspension as the starting point for a breach under this particular Rule. This was adopted as the starting point. Reference was made to a small number of recent breaches of the Rule. In determining penalty, the Adjudicative Committee does acknowledge significant mitigating factors. However, a breach of this nature is very serious and suspension must follow. On consideration of all matters, a 3 week suspension is imposed. Deferment is granted.

Conclusion:

Mr Okubo’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for 3 weeks – effective 1 January 2025 to 21 January 2025 (inclusive).