Waikato RC 18 January 2023 – R10 – Joe Doyle

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 10, the Respondent, Jockey Joe Doyle admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of BURGUNDY IFF he angled his mount out when insufficiently clear of KAIDU’S PRIDE, which was contacted and unbalanced near the 350m. Also hampered was SKY DANCER.

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 C Simpson demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Stipendiary Steward Simpson said that approaching the 350 metre mark, Mr Doyle has angled his mount outwards, making contact with KAIDU’S PRIDE to his outer, which in turn contacted SKY DANCER.

In response, the Respondent stated that the horse he was trailing got its head up and stopped, so he had to angle out quickly otherwise he would have clipped heels with the runner in front of him.

Decision:

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

Submission for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward B Jones produced the Respondent’s riding record, which indicated no previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months.

Mr Doyle has had 155 mounts in the past 12 months, but the majority of these had occurred in the last 3 months.

Stipendiary Steward B Jones said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the mid-range.

The Respondent advised of riding engagements through until 28th of January and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent had nothing to add.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s (J Doyle) carelessness to be in the mid-range and adopted a 7-day (suspension) as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 1 March 2022).

The available films clearly established that the Respondent shifted out and made solid contact with KAIDU’S PRIDE when insufficiently clear. Mr Doyle came out abruptly in an attempt to stop himself from being pocketed by an improving runner to his outside (KAIDU’S PRIDE).

The Respondent has an excellent riding record in regard to careless riding and for this and his admission of the breach, was afforded a 2 day reduction in penalty.

After consideration of the above factors, a 5-day suspension 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 5 days, commencing after racing on 28th January 2023 and concluding after racing on 6th February 2023.