Waikato RC 12 February 2022 – R6 – Craig Grylls

ID: RIB7336

Respondent(s):
Craig Grylls - Jockey

Applicant:
Mr B Jones - Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Mr G R Jones and Mr A Smith

Persons Present:
Mr B Jones, Mr M Williamson, Mr C Grylls

Information Number:
A17178

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Careless Riding

Rule(s):
638(1)(d) - Riding/driving infringement

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
GLORY BOUND

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
12/02/2022

Race Club:
Waikato Racing Club

Race Location:
Te Rapa Racecourse - Te Rapa Road, Hamilton, 3200

Race Number:
R6

Hearing Date:
12/02/2022

Hearing Location:
Waikato RC at Te Rapa

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Class A Rider Craig Grylls is suspended 6 days and fined $400

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 6, the David and Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (Group II), the Respondent Class A Rider Craig Grylls admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of GLORY BOUND “permitted his mount to shift in near the 1800 metres when not clear of BIGIFF (A Goindasamy)”. 

The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his 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 Stipendiary Steward Mr Williamson demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Mr Williamson said that approaching the 1800 metre mark Mr Grylls has shifted inwards and checked BIGIFF who was racing on the inside of GLORY BOUND.  He said that there were mitigating circumstances in Mr Grylls’ favour due to there being a lack of pace and all Riders were looking to take a hold of their mounts.  He said that as Mr Grylls steadied his mount, he was no more than ¾ of a length clear and shifted into the rightful running line of BIGIFF.

In response, Mr Grylls stated that horses to his outside were moving forward and he anticipated they would come around him, but due to the lack of early pace in the race their Riders took hold.  He said that if the pace had not eased, he would have been able to cross without incident.

Decision:

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

Submission for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones produced the Respondent’s riding record which indicated two previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely:

09 April 2021 at Awapuni – 3 days suspension + $250

23 June 2021 at Counties – 4 days suspension + $500

The Respondent has had 534 mounts since his last breach on 23 June 2021 and 809 rides in the past 12 months.   Mr Jones said the Respondent’s riding record is very good.

Mr Jones said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low to mid-range and pointed out that the breach occurred in a Group II race with stake money of $110,000.

The Respondent advised he has riding engagements through until 19 February 2022 and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.  In terms of any proposed penalty, he submitted that his very good riding record be taken into account.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr Grylls’ carelessness to be in the low range and adopted a 5-day suspension as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 1 September 2021).

The available films clearly established that the Respondent allowed his mount to shift inwards, checking BIGIFF when not clear, passing the 1800 metres. The shift was not abrupt.  The Adjudicative Committee agrees that the lack of early pace in the race may have been a contributing factor.

The Respondent’s riding record is very good given that he has had 534 rides since his last breach of the Rule, albeit this is now his third breach within the 12-month reset period.  Therefore, due to his very good record and admission of the breach a 1-day reduction was applied to the 5-day starting point.

Rule 920(2) empowers an Adjudicative Committee in imposing a penalty to have due regard to such matters as it considers appropriate including: (a) the Status of the Race; (b) the stake payable in respect of the Race. In this case the Race is a Group II with stakes of $110,000.  On that basis the Adjudicative Committee applied a 2-day uplift and a fine of $400 as GLORY BOUND finished in second place earning $20,350 stake money.

After consideration of the above factors a 6-day suspension and $400 fine was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted and his licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 days commencing after racing on 19 February 2022 and concluding after racing on 2 March 2022. A fine of $400 is also imposed.

Decision Date: 12/02/2022

Publish Date: 14/02/2022