Waikato RC 4 March 2023 – R2 – Tayla Mitchell
ID: RIB16592
Animal Name:
WESTWOOD
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
04/03/2023
Race Club:
Waikato Racing Club
Race Location:
Te Rapa Racecourse - Te Rapa Road, Hamilton, 3200
Race Number:
R2
Hearing Date:
04/03/2023
Hearing Location:
Te Rapa Racecourse
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Apprentice Jockey Tayla Mitchell, suspended 4 days
Evidence:
Following the running of Race 2, the Respondent Apprentice Rider T Mitchell admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d). The Information alleged that as the Rider of WESTWOOD, she shifted out when not sufficiently clear of HIGHLIGHTER which was hampered near the 50m.
The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach. Apprentice Mentor N Harris was present to assist.
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 B Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.
Stipendiary Steward B Jones said that approaching the 50 metre mark, the Respondent commenced to shift ground outwards when being ridden forward with the whip. As a result of shifting ground, WESTWOOD got into the line of HIGHLIGHTER (J Doyle) who had to check to avoid heels. At the time of the interference, Mr Jones said that Ms Mitchell was a bare length clear.
In response, Ms Mitchell said her horse was laying out and starting to tire and she may have got a bit desperate.
Decision:
As the Respondent admitted the breach,the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved
Submission for Penalty:
Stipendiary Steward J Oatham produced the Respondent T Mitchell’s, riding record which indicated 1 previous breach under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, from 350 rides.
Stipendiary Steward J Oatham said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range and credit should be given for her good record.
Ms Mitchell advised of riding engagements through until 11th of March 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 Ms Mitchell’s 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 March 2022).
The available films clearly established that Ms Mitchell shifted ground when not clear of the trailing runners, inconveniencing HIGHLIGHTER momentarily.
The Respondent’s riding record is treated as a mitigating factor and a 1-day reduction was applied to the 5-day starting point for her admission of the breach and record.
After consideration of the above factors, a 4-day suspension was imposed.
Conclusion:
The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted and her licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days, commencing after racing on 11th March 2023 and concluding after racing on 18th March 2023.
Decision Date: 04/03/2023
Publish Date: 06/03/2023