Waikato TR 14 December 2024 – R1 – Sam Spratt
ID: RIB49409
Animal Name:
SWEET ICE
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 Sam Spratt is suspended for 4 days
Evidence:
Following the running of Race 1, the Respondent Class A Rider S Spratt admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d). The Information alleged that as the Rider of SWEET ICE, she permitted her mount to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear of CURZON PARK (N Parmar) and TOWERING VISION (V Colgan), which were hampered near the 50 metres.
The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach.
Rule 638(1)(d) provides:Â 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.
Mr B Jones said that SWEET ICE was racing in front on the inside. Ms Spratt rode forward, took one hand off the rein and struck her mount. As a result, it shifted outward into the centre of the track. She then applied a further strike and again, SWEET ICE shifted ground into the running line of CURZON PARK and TOWERING VISION, who were both hampered. Mr Jones said that Ms Spratt should have made a greater effort to straighten her mount after the first outward shift. At the time of the shift, he said that she was no more than 1 to 1 ¼ length clear, rather than the required distance.
In response, Ms Spratt agreed with the Stewards’ interpretation and had nothing further to add.
Decision:
As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.
Submissions for Penalty:
Chief Stipendiary Steward J Oatham produced Ms Spratt’s riding record, which indicated 2 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, these occurred on 24/2/2024 and 24/8/2024.
He said that Ms Spratt has had 648 race rides in the past 12 months, and Stewards viewed her record as very good. He said that SWEET ICE’S racing manners were a contributing factor, due its being a 2 year old having its first start and it raced very greenly.
It was the Stewards’ opinion, that considering the circumstances of the breach and the horse’s manners, this breach could be categorised at the lower end of the scale.
Ms Spratt confirmed that she had no upcoming commitments and she sought to take any suspension immediately.
Reasons for Penalty:
After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined Ms Spratt’s carelessness to be in the low range and adopted a 5-day (suspension) as the starting point.
The available films clearly established that Ms Spratt shifted out when not the permissible distance clear, i.e. her own length and one other. The connections of one of the affected horses, CURZON PARK, lodged a protest against SWEET ICE. This was dismissed. The racing manners of SWEET ICE were noted, but Ms Spratt nevertheless had an obligation to stop riding forward and straighten, when her mount shifted ground. The Adjudicative Committee applied a one day reduction to the starting point for Ms Spratt’s good record and her admission of the breach.
After consideration of the above factors, a 4-day suspension was imposed.
Conclusion:
Ms Spratt’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days, commencing after racing on 14/12/24 and concluding after racing on 20/12/24.
Decision Date: 14/12/2024
Publish Date: 16/12/2024