Waikato TR 26 October 2026 – R3 – Sam McNab

Evidence:

Following Race 3, Apprentice Rider Mr S McNab (ELIUD), admitted a charge of careless riding in that he permitted his mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of CHOREOMANIA, 25 metres from the finish.

Mr McNab confirmed his admission of the breach. He was supported at the hearing by Class A Rider Mr M McNab.

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

Mr Jones said that as they came down the home straight, ELIUD was racing on the outside of CHOREOMANIA, with FAULTLESS on that horse’s inside.

ELIUD shifted inwards while still being ridden out by Mr McNab. The side on film illustrated that ELIUD was barely one length clear of CHOREOMANIA, not its own length and another length as required under the Rule. He noted that while FAULTLESS had also moved out, it was only slightly and ELIUD moving in, which inconvenienced CHOREOMANIA.

Mr M McNab accepted the Stewards’ interpretation, but noted that FAULTLESS moving out, had contributed to the incident.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr Oatham advised that Mr McNab has only 2 previous charges under this Rule in the reset period.

18 Jan – 5 day suspension

2 May – 5 day suspension

Mr McNab has had 475 rides in the past 12 months, so he has a very good record.

The Stewards considered the Penalty Guide starting point of 5 days for a low end breach as an appropriate starting point, before considering mitigating and aggravating circumstances.

Mr McNab made no comment on the penalty and did not seek a deferment to any proposed suspension.

Reasons for Penalty:

After reviewing all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined that Mr McNab’s level of carelessness was in the low range, leading to a starting point of a 5-day suspension.

After considering all the circumstances, in particular Mr McNab’s good record and admission of the breach, a 1 day reduction was applied. Therefore, a 4-day suspension is imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days, commencing after racing on 26 October 2026 and concluding after racing on Sunday 1 November 2026.