Waikato TR 30 January 2026 – R5 – Jasmine Fawcett

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 5, the Respondent, Class A Rider Jasmine Fawcett, admitted a charge of careless riding filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d). The Information alleged that, as the Rider of FROZEN FORTUNE, she permitted her mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of YOUNG JACKSON, which was checked near the 1100 metres.

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

Deputy Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones said that approaching the 1100-metre mark, the Respondent was racing three wide outside the leaders, when YOUNG JACKSON ended up in a position inside FROZEN FORTUNE. At the same time, FROZEN FORTUNE was steadying, and then Miss Fawcett shifted into the line of YOUNG JACKSON. Mr Jones submitted that a contributing factor was that Miss Fawcett decided to come back so quickly.

In response, Miss Fawcett stated that she had no intention of moving in, but when she turned her head to check if she was able to move in, this caused her mount to react and shift in. She said she never intended to move in; rather, horses respond to the Rider’s body. She did not move the rein. She also stated that another mitigating factor was that it was unfortunate that, from barrier three, she ended up three wide.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Adrian Dooley produced the Respondent’s riding record, which indicated four previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months.

The Respondent has had 594 mounts in the past 12 months, indicating she is a busy Rider.

Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Dooley said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low-to-mid range.

The Respondent advised of riding engagements through until 7 February 2026 and sought a deferment of any proposed suspension.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be in the low-to-mid range and adopted a 6‑day suspension as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide.

The available films clearly established that the Respondent allowed her mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of YOUNG JACKSON, which was checked, and it is for those reasons, the starting point was adopted.

The Respondent’s riding record is treated as a mitigating factor, and a 1‑day reduction was applied to the 6‑day starting point for her admission of the breach and overall record.

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

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted, and her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 days, commencing after racing on 7 February 2026 and concluding after racing on 15 February 2026.