Taumarunui RC 26 July 2025 – R4 – Yuga Okubo

Evidence

Following the running of Race 4, Apprentice Rider Mr Yuga Okubo (RIBKRAKA) admitted a charge of Careless Riding in that he permitted his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of ILLUSTRATED MISS, which clipped a heel and fell, causing significant interference to several other runners.

Mr Okubo acknowledged he understood the Rule, the nature of the charge and confirmed his admission of the breach. Mr Okubo was supported at the hearing by Trainer Mr Tony Pike.

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 film, Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr B Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned, namely RIBKRAKA (Y Okubo),  ILLUMINATED MISS (A Strawbridge), I PARK (A Lawson-Carroll), GRACETHEACE (R Goyaram) and GINA ROSA (H Hassman).

Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr B Jones explained that approaching the 950 metres, Mr Okubo was the widest runner on the track and while searching for the lead, permitted his mount to shift inwards into the line of ILLUMINATED MISS, when not sufficiently clear. He was marginally his own horse clear, instead of the required own length plus one other length. As a result, ILLUMINATED MISS against the rail had nowhere to go and although Apprentice Rider A Strawbridge attempted to take a hold, ILLUMINATED MISS clipped a heel, resulting in a fall and dislodging the Rider.  The consequential effects were that GRACETHEACE and I PARK  also fell and GINA ROSA dislodged its Rider, all runners in the field suffered interference.

In response, Mr Okubo said that he checked twice and that Apprentice Rider A Strawbridge should have pulled back and taken a hold.

In support, Mr Pike reiterated that this was an unfortunate incident, which impacted several Jockeys, who were injured.  He added that RIBKRAKA (Y Okubo)  shifted across from a wide gate, to lead on the fence. Mr Pike acknowledged that while Mr Okubo was never the required distance clear, he said Ms Strawbridge was struggling to take a hold and started to lay outwards, which may have caused the horse to clip heels.  He suggested that a more experienced and stronger Rider might have resulted in a different outcome.  Mr Pike told the Adjudicative Committee that while Mr Okubo was at fault for not being the required distance clear, it wasn’t deliberate and he wasn’t reckless.  Mr Pike asked the Adjudicative Committee if Senior Jockey K Myers, could be given the opportunity to give her perspective of the incident, as she had ridden in the race.

Senior Rider K Myers admitted she hadn’t viewed the video, but commented that RIBKRAKA seemed to be rolling along and moved across to the rail. She thought that Ms Strawbridge had time to pull ILLUMINATED MISS back and thought that she may have angled it outwards across heels, causing it to clip a heel and fall. The Adjudicative Committee asked Ms Myers if she had a different perspective, having viewed the films. Ms Myers confirmed that she did, and that Ms Strawbridge has simply run out of room, when Mr Okubo crossed her.

DECISION

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

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham reiterated that a reckless riding charge was considered, but the shift inwards was gradual and Mr Okubo was checking to his inside, however he was never clear to move into Ms Strawbridge’s line. Mr Oatham said the Stewards did not believe that Ms Strawbridge was in massive difficulty with her mount, but was looking to restrain it. He said it was incumbent on Mr Okubo to find the necessary room to move into.   Mr Oatham assessed the breach to be at the top end of careless riding, with a recommendation of a starting point of 6 weeks suspension. He  produced Mr Okubo’s short record of rides in New Zealand, with a clear record from 91 rides.

Mr Okubo had no comment regarding the penalty submission.   In support, Mr T Pike emphasised that two inexperienced Riders were involved, which resulted in an unfortunate incident.  On behalf of Mr Okubo, he sort a deferment of 7 days to fulfil commitments.

REASONS FOR PENALTY

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined that while the shift from Mr Okubo was gradual, he was never in a position to move fully to the rail, without causing interference to the Rider to his inside. His carelessness could be considered at the low level due to the nature of the shift, but the consequences were at the high end.  The consequential effects resulted in several runners falling and the entire field being disrupted. Despite one Rider suffering significant injuries, the outcome for all involved could have been a lot worse.

The Adjudicative Committee is also of the view that no blame for the incident should be attributed to Ms Strawbridge, she was entitled to hold the position she had taken upon the rail, and quite simply, if Mr Okubo had been the required distance clear when crossing to the rail, the incident would not have occurred.

The Penalty Guidelines determine that for careless riding causing a fall, the starting point is 4 weeks.

In determining an appropriate penalty, the Adjudicative Committee had regard for Rule 920(2)(c):

920(2) On finding a breach proved the Adjudicative Committee may impose any penalty provided by these Rules. In imposing a penalty provided in these Rules the Adjudicative Committee may have regard to such matters as it considers appropriate including:

(a) the status of the Race;

(b) the stake payable in respect of the Race;

 (c) any consequential effects upon any person or horse as a result of the breach of the Rule; and/or (d) the need to maintain integrity and public confidence in racing

The Adjudicative Committee sought guidance from the following precedent cases in establishing penalty:

S Weatherley – 3/8/22 – Mr Weatherley defended a charge of reckless riding. His record was poor (7th breach in 12 months), the level of carelessness was considered high end and the consequential effects were also in the high range. This resulted in a 9 week suspension.

D Rose Tait – 15/12/2022 – Ms Rose Tait defended a charge of careless riding. Her record was good, the level of carelessness was considered mid range, the consequential effects were high – 6 week suspension.

W Pinn – 7/7/2024 – Admitted a charge of careless riding. His record was considered neutral, the level of carelessness was low range, consequential effects mid range – 4 week suspension.

From the 4 week starting point, the Adjudicative Committee imposes an uplift of 2 weeks due to the consequential effects of the carelessness resulting in 4 Riders being taken to hospital, and every runner being affected due to varying degrees.

Mr Okubo’s clear riding record is treated as a mitigating factor and along with the admission of the breach, his Rider status and inexperience, is afforded a 1 week discount.

In consideration of the above factors, the Adjudicative Committee deemed that an appropriate suspension of 5 weeks be imposed.

CONCLUSION:

Apprentice Rider Mr Okubo’s request for a deferment is granted and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 weeks, commencing after racing on 2 August and concluding after racing on 6 September 2025.