Waikato TR 24 August 2024 – R10 – Sam Spratt

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 10, 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 JETHRO TULL, she permitted her mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of CARTER RUSSELL, which was forced inwards, clipping a heel of ORTEGA, blundering and losing ground near the 1100m. 

The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach.

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, Stipendiary Steward B Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Stipendiary Steward B Jones said that soon after the start, S Spratt allowed her mount to shift inwards. This shift dictated CARTER RUSSELL (R Goyaram) in and onto the heels of ORTEGA.  As a result, CARTER RUSSELL clipped a heel and blundered, losing ground. Mr Jones said when Ms Spratt commenced to shift ground, she was only 3/4 of a length clear and was never more than 1 length clear during the entire movement. Mr Jones said that Mr Goyaram’s horse was over-racing.

In response, Ms Spratt confirmed she had shifted in. She said that during the manoeuvre, she had called out to Mr Goyaram, who had said “you go”, indicating to her she was clear to shift ground inwards. She said that Mr Goyaram’s horse (CARTER RUSSELL) was over-racing and if it was ridden by a Senior Rider, they may have taken a hold (avoiding the incident).

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward J Oatham produced Ms Spratt’s riding record, which indicated 1 previous breach under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, this occurred on 24/2/24.

Ms Spratt has had 673 mounts in the past 12 months, and the Stewards viewed this as a very good record. Mr Oatham further commented that the affected Rider, Mr Goyaram, had only commenced riding and advised the Stewards that his horse “was a little out of control” – he said that this was a mitigating factor and had CARTER RUSSELL been ridden by a Senior Rider, the incident may not have occurred. Mr Oatham indicated that despite this factor, the onus lay with the Rider shifting ground, to ensure they were clear and Ms Spratt was never clear.

It was the Stewards’ opinion, that considering the circumstances of the breach and the mitigating factors, this breach could be categorised at the lower end of the scale.

Ms Spratt confirmed that she had spoken to her Agent, who advised her of 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-mid range and adopted a 6-day (suspension) as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 1 March 2022).

The available films clearly established that Ms Spratt shifted inwards when not the permissible distance clear, resulting in Mr Goyaram’s mount being forced onto heels.

The Adjudicative Committee acknowledged that the racing manners of the affected runner (CARTER RUSSELL) may have contributed to the incident and saw this as a mitigating factor.  This, combined with Ms Spratt’s very good record and admission of the breach, afforded her a 1 day reduction from the starting point.

After consideration of the above factors, a 5-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 days, commencing after racing on 24/8/24 and concluding after racing on 4/9/24.