Waikato TR 26 June 2024 – R3 – Courtney Barnes

Introduction

Following the running of Race 3, Class A Rider Ms C Barnes admitted a charge of Careless Riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d). The Information alleged that Ms Barnes:

“permitted her mount to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear of MOHI PLACE which had to be checked near the 200 metres.”

Ms Barnes confirmed that she understood the Rule and admitted 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.

Evidence

Using available race films, Stipendiary Steward Mr Stewart demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned, namely DECRETO DE GUERRA (C Barnes) and MOHI PLACE (V Colgan).

Mr Stewart pointed out, that nearing the 200 metre mark after entering the home straight, Ms Barnes was looking to ease DECRETO DE GUERRA off the rails.  He said in doing so, Ms Barnes allowed her mount to shift out into the running line of MOHI PLACE, which was checked.  He said that at the time of the shift, DECRETO DE GUERRA was no more than one length clear of MOHI PLACE.

In response, Ms Barnes said she was unaware that MOHI PLACE was on her outer.

Decision

As Ms Barnes admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee found the breach proved.

Submissions for Penalty

Stipendiary Steward Mrs Selvakumaran produced Ms Barnes’ riding record over the previous 12 months.  She said that from 650 race rides in that 12 month period, her record is clear.  She pointed out that this an excellent record, given that Ms Barnes is a busy National Rider.

Mrs Selvakumaran considered this breach as being in the low range.

Ms Barnes sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing on 29 June 2024. She asked that her good record and that fact that she is a busy (National Rider) be taken into account.

Reasons for Penalty

After consideration of the circumstances of the breach and submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined Ms Barnes’ carelessness to be in the low range, which has a penalty starting point of a 5 day suspension.

In assessing penalty, the Adjudicative Committee placed considerable weight on Ms Barnes’ exemplary riding record.  It is very rare that a busy Senior (National) Rider maintains a clear record for 12 months or more.  Whilst a poor record is deserving of a penalty uplift, so too must an excellent record be rewarded with a penalty reduction.  Accordingly, for her combined admission of the breach and her riding record, a 2 day reduction is applied to the starting point, resulting in a 3 day suspension being imposed.

Conclusion

Ms Barnes’ Licence to ride in races is suspended for 3 National Riding Days, commencing on 30 June 2024, up to and including racing on 4 July 2024  (inclusive).