Waikato TR 13 April 2025 – R8 – Lily Sutherland

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 8, the Respondent Class B Apprentice Rider Ms Sutherland, admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d). The Information alleged that as the Rider of PRIVY GARDEN, she angled her mount inwards when not clear of THE SCUNNER, which was checked near the 350 metres.

Ms Sutherland acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach. At an earlier hearing during the day, Ms Sutherland advised that she did not require a support person to be present. However, on this occasion, the Adjudicative Committee insisted that she be supported, given the nature of the charge.  Senior Class A Rider Ms Satherley assisted.

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, Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. He said that approaching the 350 metre mark, Ms Sutherland, riding PRIVY GARDEN, was racing behind the leaders searching for a run.  She elected to shift inwards and in doing so, THE SCUNNER was checked, causing Rider C Grylls to take a strong hold and steady his mount.  Mr Oatham said that Mr Grylls “yelled out to Ms Sutherland” but by that time, she was committed to the shift.  He said that PRIVY GARDEN was never the required distance clear of THE SCUNNER, when shifting.

In response, Ms Sutherland had nothing to add.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Oatham produced Ms Sutherland’s riding record, which indicated five previous breaches of the Careless Riding Rule, from 768 rides in the past 12 months.

Mr Oatham said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the mid-range.

Ms Satherley pointed out that although this is Ms Sutherland’s fifth breach for careless riding, given that she has had 768 mounts in the past 12 mounts, she still can be considered as having a good record (1 breach in 156 rides).

Reasons for Penalty

After reviewing all the submissions, and in consideration of the films, the Adjudicative Committee determined that Ms Sutherland’s level of carelessness was in mid-range, leading to a starting point of a 7-day suspension.

The available footage showed that near the 350-metre mark, Mr Sutherland shifted in quite abruptly.  She made no effort to check whether she was clear of horses on her inside.  The Rule requires a horse to be at least its own length and one other when crossing another horse.  On this occasion, she was never the required distance clear of THE SCUNNER.

Ms Sutherland was suspended for 6 days following a whip breach in Race 2.  In addition, she received a 7 day suspension and $800 fine for careless riding, plus a fine for use of her whip in consecutive strides at the Wellington RC Meeting on 12 April 2025.  This charge is now her fourth breach in two days.  On this occasion, credit could not be given for either her admission of the breach or good record.  Therefore, after considering all the above factors, a 7-day suspension is imposed.

Conclusion:

Ms Sutherland’s Lcence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 7 days.  This follows the suspensions incurred at Wellington and the earlier one in Race 2.  This suspension therefore commences after racing on 12 May 2025 and concludes after racing on 24 May 2025.