Waikato BOP H 26 January 2023 – R6 (heard 30 January 2023 at Cambridge) – Monika Ranger (Charge 2)
ID: RIB13450
Animal Name:
Frankie Major
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
26/01/2023
Race Club:
Waikato BOP Harness Racing Inc
Race Location:
Cambridge Raceway - 1 Taylor Street, Cambridge, 3434
Race Number:
R6
Hearing Date:
30/01/2023
Hearing Location:
Cambridge Raceway, Cambridge
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Junior Driver, Monika Ranger, suspended 4 days
BACKGROUND:
Following the running of Race 6, Dunstan Horsefeeds Mobile Pace, the Respondent, Junior Driver, Monika Ranger, admitted a breach of Rule 869(3)(b) in that, as the Driver of FRANKIE MAJOR in the race, she drove carelessly in shifting ground outwards near the 300 metres when insufficiently clear which resulted in her runner locking wheels with BROOKIES JAFFA (Sean McCaffrey) which lost ground.
The hearing of the charge was adjourned and was heard a the meeting of Waikato Bay of Plenty HRC at Cambridge on 30 January 2023. The Respondent admitted the breach. She was supported at the hearing by Open Driver, Zachary Butcher.
Rule 869(3)(b) provides that “no driver in any race shall drive carelessly”.
EVIDENCE:
Stipendiary Steward, Adrian Dooley, showed video replays of the incident. He pointed out FRANKIE MAJOR, driven by the Respondent, racing three places back on the markers. BROOKIES JAFFA, driven by Mr McCaffrey, was racing in the one-out line behind the Respondent. He then showed the Respondent ease out onto the back of the parked runner, AARDIE’S FLASH (James Stormont) and, shortly thereafter, ease out to pass the tiring AARDIE’S FLASH. In the meantime, BROOKIES JAFFA had improved to be outside the Respondent and, in attempting to ease that runner out, she locked wheels with that runner for some distance. The Respondent was not in a position to ease Mr McCaffrey out as he had another runner to his outside, Mr Dooley said. Mr McCaffrey’s runner lost considerable ground.
Mr Butcher pointed out that, after locking wheels with Mr McCaffrey, the Respondent did take appropriate action to free the locked sulky wheels.
DECISION:
The charge having being admitted, it is deemed proved.
SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:
Mr Dooley told the hearing that the Respondent has been driving for 1 year. In the 2022 season just completed, she had 65 drives and, in the current season, she has had 3 drives. She has a clear record, he said.
Mr Dooley referred to the Penalty Guide and submitted that a suspension of 4 days would be an appropriate penalty.
A discussion followed as to the upcoming meetings at which the Respondent would be likely to drive. She sought a deferment of suspension until after the 2nd day of the Hawera TC meeting on 5 February next, where she has driving engagements. Mr Butcher said that it was likely that she would also go to the meeting of Manawatu HRC on 14 and 16 February. Mr Dooley said that it was feasible that the Respondent would go to that Manawatu meeting. Prior to that, there is a meeting at Auckland on 9 February.
REASONS FOR PENALTY:
The Penalty Guide suggests a starting point for penalty for this breach of a 10-drives suspension. On the basis that the Respondent has 2 drives per meeting, that would equate to a 5-days suspension. The Respondent is entitled to a discount for her clear record and her admission of the breach. This discount is fixed at 1 day.
CONCLUSION:
The Respondent is granted a deferment, and her licence to drive in races is suspended commencing after racing on 5 February 2023, up to and including 24 February 2023 – 4 days.
Decision Date: 30/01/2023
Publish Date: 01/02/2023