Waikato TR 14 December 2024 – R1, 4, and 9 – Opie Bosson
ID: RIB49403
Animal Name:
TOWERING VISION (r1), CAMPIONESSA (r4), BILLY LINCOLN (r9)
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
14/12/2024
Race Club:
Waikato Thoroughbred Racing
Race Location:
Te Rapa Racecourse - Te Rapa Road, Hamilton, 3200
Race Number:
R1
Hearing Date:
14/12/2024
Hearing Location:
Te Rapa
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Jockey Opie Bosson is fined $450
Evidence:
The Applicant, Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham filed an Information pursuant to Rule 346(3) alleging that Class A Rider, Opie Bosson failed to make the contracted weight for his mounts in Race 1 (TOWERING VISION), Race 4 (CAMPIONESSA), and Race 9 BILLY LINCOLN.
The Respondent was present at the hearing and confirmed his admission of the breach.
Rule 346(3) provides:
346 A Rider must not:
(3) fail to ride a horse at the weight at which it is handicapped to carry subject to the conditions of
the Race; or
Mr Oatham advised that the three runners were respectively handicapped to carry 57kg, 57kg, and 56.5kg and Mr Bosson was unable to make the weight on all three runners.
Mr Oatham said that he was contacted by a Te Akau Racing Foreman earlier in the morning and advised that Mr Bosson was unable to make the weight for the two Te Akau runners, TOWERING VISION and CAMPIONESSA. Mr Oatham further advised that Mr Bosson was unable to make the weight on BILLY LINCOLN.
Decision:
As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.
Submission for Penalty:
Mr Oatham said that this is Mr Bosson’s third day back riding after a lengthy break and he is under pressure to take mounts. Mr Oatham said that Stewards have some sympathy for Mr Bosson, but having to find three replacement Senior Riders on a Premier Raceday is not ideal, albeit replacement Riders were identified for each of the three horses.
Mr Oatham said that a breach of this nature would normally be dealt with a Minor Infringement Notice (MIN), however given that Mr Bosson is unable to make weight for three mounts, one of which is a Group 2 with stakes of $175,000, Stewards elected to file an Information.
Mr Oatham said that Mr Bosson needs to ensure he can make weight when accepting mounts. He suggested that a $500 fine would be an appropriate penalty.
The Respondent agreed that a fine would be an appropriate penalty.
Reasons for Penalty:
The MIN schedule establishes a $100 fine as the starting point for a first breach of this Rule. In circumstances where Stewards elect to file an Information, determination of penalties are fact dependent.
The Adjudicative Committee considered the submissions and for consistency, took some guidance from previous penalties for similar breaches.
Aggravating factors included, were the status of race four, being a Group 2 with stakemoney of $175,000. The other two races carry stakemoney of $65,000.
Mr Bosson reiterated that this is his third day back riding after a break. He said that he is under pressure to accept mounts, but is making an effort to reduce his weight. He added that with regards to BILLY LINCOLN (56.5kg), he accepted the mount knowing that he was permitted to ride it at 57kg.
Given the circumstances, and balancing the interests of the Respondent, other stakeholders, including the betting public, the Adjudicative Committee determined that a fine of $450 is an appropriate penalty.
Conclusion:
The Respondent, Mr Bosson is fined $450.
Decision Date: 14/12/2024
Publish Date: 16/12/2024