Waikato TR 29 May 2024 – R5 – Triston Moodley

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 5, Apprentice Rider Mr T Moodley (assisted by Mr N Harris) admitted a charge of Careless Riding in that he permitted his mount (PONTE VECCHIO) to shift outwards when insufficiently clear of HUTSON, which clipped a heel and blundered approaching the 200 metres.

It is to be noted that Mr Moodley breached the Careless Riding Rule twice in the same race and each breach resulted in a charge which was deal with separately, albeit during the same hearing.

Mr Moodley acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his 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, Senior Stipendiary Steward B Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned, namely MARS (M McNab), HUTSON (B Rogerson) and PONTE VECCHIO (T Moodley).

Mr Jones said that approaching the 200 metre mark, Mr Moodley directed his mount outwards into the line of HUTSON, who clipped a heel and blundered.  He said that at the time of the shift, Mr Moodley was barely a length clear of HUTSON – not his own length and one other as required by the Rules.  Mr Jones added that the shift was about 1 to 2 horse-widths.

In response, Mr Moodley said that coming into the straight, he tried to straighten his mount.

Mr Harris said that Mr Moodley was “trying too hard” to organise his horse in readiness for the run up the home straight, and his horse has “got away from him”.

Decision:

As Mr Moodley admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward A Dooley produced Mr Moodley’s riding record which indicated 7 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months. The most recent having occurred as a result of an incident nearing the 700 metres in the same race (Race 5).

Mr Dooley said that Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the mid-range due to HUTSON clipping heels and blundering.  He also pointed out that as a result of the breach, there was a Protest resulting PONTE VECCHIO being relegated from 2nd to 4th place.

In terms of any proposed penalty, Mr Moodley had nothing to add.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr Moodley’s carelessness to be in the mid-range and adopted a 7-day (suspension) as the starting point.

The available films clearly established that Mr Moodley directed his mount out into the running line of HUTSON, who clipped a heel and blundered.  Fortunately for Ms Rogerson, she was able to correct her mount and finished the race off strongly.

Mr Moodley’s poor riding record and the fact that his carelessness caused his mount to be relegated, are treated as an aggravating factors.  A 1-day uplift was applied to the 7 day starting point. In recognition of his admission of the breach, a 1-day reduction was afforded to Mr Moodley.

After consideration of the above factors, a 7-day suspension was imposed. In arriving at this penalty, the Adjudicative Committee was mindful that this was his second breach in the same race, the earlier breach resulted in a 6 day suspension.  On that basis, the combined penalties equate to a 13 day suspension.

Conclusion:

Mr Moodley’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 7 days, commencing after his previous suspension concludes after racing on 20 June 2024.  Therefore, this suspension commences on 21 June 2024 and concludes after racing on 29 June 2024.

Note:

The Adjudicative Committee recommends that Stewards refer Mr Moodley to the Rider Skills Panel for remedial coaching, given that this is his 8th breach in 12 months from 274 mounts.