Waikato TR 2 May 2026 – R7 – Sam McNab

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 7, the Rider of the 3rd placed HAKKINEN, Apprentice Mr S McNab admitted a charge filed pursuant to Rule 649(3). It was alleged that Mr McNab weighed in, in excess of 1.3 kg underweight.

The Respondent acknowledged that he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach. He was assisted at the hearing by Senior Class A Rider Mr M McNab.

Rule 649(3) provides that:

If, on being weighed in, a Rider cannot draw the proper weight (meaning thereby the weight allotted by the Handicapper for his horse to carry and adjusted only by any re-handicap, by having been declared overweight, by penalty or by authorised allowance) the Clerk of the Scales shall allow such rider 0.5 kg and if the allowance is not sufficient to enable the proper weight to be drawn then subject to sub-Rule (4) of this Rule then in addition to any other penalty which may be imposed the horse shall be disqualified for the Race.

Rule 649(3) provides that:

A Rider must not weigh-in at a weight that exceeds or is less than the proper weight as is defined in and with the allowance permitted by Rule 648(3).

At an earlier ‘Request for a Ruling’ hearing in relation to this matter, on the evidence presented, the Adjudicative Committee disqualified HAKKINEN from its 3rd placing. The evidence of the earlier hearing was accepted for the purpose of this matter.

In explanation, Mr McNab advised that when he weighed out, he stood on the scales holding the requisite lead in his hands, but forgot to place it in his lead bag. He accepted the error.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Deputy Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones produced the Respondent’s record, which showed he had no previous breaches under this Rule. Mr Jones said that all Riders have an obligation to ensure that the correct lead was correctly placed in the lead bag following weigh out.

Mr Jones advised that breaches of this nature are infrequent and he referred to five breaches dating back to 2011. They varied in penalty imposed from as well as circumstance, but a common theme was that each of the Riders’ horses had been placed and disqualified. The penalties ranged from fines between $1,000 and $1,200 and 5 days suspension. He also referred to a more recent Decision where Rider T Moodley received a fine after finishing 11th in a Listed Race, that resulted in a stake forfeiture of $6,000.

Mr Jones submitted that a suspension in the vicinity of 5 days plus a modest fine, should be considered.

Mr M McNab responded by suggesting that a fine would constitute a more appropriate penalty. He said that Mr S McNab is an Apprentice Rider in his first season of riding. He fully accepts that he made a mistake and will learn from it. He added that he is a heavy weight Rider and rarely needs to use a lead bag. Therefore, Mr McNab requested consideration for a lighter penalty.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Adjudicative Committee carefully considered all the evidence and submissions presented. The Penalty Guide for Adjudicative Committees provides no starting point, as breaches of this Rule are fact dependent.

In assessing penalty, the Adjudicative Committee weighed up the following factors: (1) Mr McNab’s culpability i.e. he forgot to place lead in the bag; (2) the disqualification of the horse; (3) the interests of the connections who lost out on $3,150 in stake money and the betting public who were denied a dividend; (4) The  Respondent’s admission of the breach and good riding record; and (5) the need for consistency in affixing penalties for like offending.

Taking these factors into account, a 3-day suspension and $300 fine was deemed an appropriate penalty in this case.

Conclusion:

Mr McNab was suspended following an earlier race and that suspension concludes after racing on 14 May 2026. Accordingly, Mr McNab’s Licence to ride in races is suspended from 15 May 2026, until 20 May 2026 (inclusive). In addition, he is fined $300.

The Adjudicative Committee ordered that the Respondent’s riding fee be forfeited.