Waikato RC 4 September 2021 – R8 – Sam Weatherley

ID: RIB4445

Respondent(s):
Sam Weatherley - Jockey

Applicant:
Mr B Jones - Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Mr Noel McCutcheon

Persons Present:
S Weatherley, B Jones, V Algar

Information Number:
A15926

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Careless Riding

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

Plea:
Admitted

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
04/09/2021

Race Club:
Waikato Racing Club

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

Race Number:
R8

Hearing Date:
04/09/2021

Hearing Location:
Te Rapa Racecourse

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Jockey Sam Weatherley is suspended for 7 days

SUMMARY OF FACTS:

Following Race 8 (Valachi Downs Foxbridge Place Group 2) it was alleged that Sam Weatherley angled his mount HARLECH outwards when not sufficiently clear of SUPREME HEIGHTS which was firmly contacted and unbalanced passing the 225m.

EVIDENCE:

Ms Algar showed the film replays and in essence said that Mr Weatherley came out, made firm contact with SUPREME HEIGHTS who became unbalanced.  He was racing alongside SUPREME HEIGHTS when he shifted out.

Mr Weatherley for his part said that his horse is a big entire and that he angled out for one stride too many.  He said that he pulled off a little too late and that the films showed it.  He said that his horse also floated a bit.

SUBMISSION FOR PENALTY:

The records showed that Mr Weatherley had breached the Rule on 3 prior occasions during the last 12 months being 23.01.21 – 4 days suspension and $400 fine, 05.06.21 – 4 days suspension, 02.09.21 – 3 days suspension.

Mr Jones said Mr Weatherley came out sharply when racing head to head with SUPREME HEIGHTS.  He placed the carelessness in the mid-range.

Mr Weatherley in essence said that there was not much that he could say and that he had received a suspension at Cambridge on 2 September.

REASON FOR PENALTY:

The revised Penalty Guide starting point is for 7 riding days suspension for mid-level carelessness.  Mr Weatherley shifted out somewhat abruptly, hit SUPREME HEIGHTS relatively firmly and as a consequence it became rather badly unbalanced.

The Adjudicator’s observation was that it was clearly in the mid-level category of careless riding.

The interference occurred in a Group 2 event which allows for an uplift in penalty.

It was considered that a starting point of 8 days be adopted with a minor discount given for the guilty plea.

CONCLUSIONS:

Mr Weatherley’s Jockey’s License was suspended from end of racing on 11 September through to all racing on 23 September 2021 (7 riding days).  Included is a Premier day at Hawkes Bay on 18 September.

Decision Date: 04/09/2021

Publish Date: 07/09/2021