Waimate RC 12 June 2022 – R9 (heard 16 June 2022 at Riccarton) – BB Hong

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 9, the Respondent Class A Rider BB Hong admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of CHANDLER  “he allowed his mount to shift ground outwards passing the 200 metres crowding and checking MR GHIBSON”. 

The Respondent 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 Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson, with the assistance of Mr Oatham demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham said approaching the 200-metre mark the Respondent who was racing in second place, has shifted ground from 2 off the fence and has taken the racing line of MR GHIBSON (K Asano). He said the nature of the heavy track meant horses were shifting about in the run home but Mr Hong has been careless in not maintaining a reasonable line. Mr Oatham demonstrated Mr Hong shifting outwards 3 horse widths which he said was the main contributor to the incident. Mr Oatham alluded to a slight movement inwards by EL BEE JACK which the Stewards considered minor.

In response, the Respondent stated he accepted he was at fault but added he considered the inward movement of EL BEE JACK compounded the check to MR GHIBSON.

Decision:

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

Submission for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson produced the Respondent Mr Hong’s riding record which indicated one previous breach under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely a mid to high range breach at Riccarton on 25 February resulting in relegation and a 10-day suspension.

Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range.

The Respondent did not seek a deferment to any proposed suspension.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent made no submissions.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions the Adjudicator determined Respondent Mr Hong’s carelessness to be in the low range and adopted a 5-day suspension as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 1 March 2022).

The available films clearly established that the Respondent has allowed his mount to drift up the track under a ride on a heavy track resulting in a check to MR GHIBSON.

The Respondent’s riding record is treated as a mitigating factor and a 1-day reduction was applied to the 5-day starting point for his admission of the breach and record.

After consideration of the above factors, a 4-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion – Penalty:

The Respondent’s licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days commencing after racing today and concluding after racing on 23 June 2022.