Wanganui JC 22 November 2025 – R1 – Mereana Hudson

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 1, Ms M Hudson admitted a charge of careless riding under Rule 638(1)(d). The Information alleged that she permitted her mount, TOMMY STAR to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of COWBOY, going back on to CASTA SHADOW, which was hampered near the 1000 metres.

Ms Hudson acknowledged that she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach.

Stipendiary Steward Ms Jillings demonstrated that Ms Hudson was positioned in the middle of the field soon after the start, with CASTA SHADOW racing behind her and COWBOY behind and to her inside. COWBOY was observed to be over-racing. Ms Hudson looked inwards on a couple of occasions before allowing her mount to shift in when not clear, tightening COWBOY, which in turn caused CASTA SHADOW to be hampered.

Ms Hudson submitted that COWBOY had initially shifted outwards off its line, but Mr Goodwin, for the Stewards, noted that by the time of the interference, COWBOY had resumed its original position.

Decision:

As Ms Hudson admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Ms Hudson’s riding record shows four previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely:

16/11/25  Waipukurau – 5 days

26/3/25    Egmont – 5 days

29/1/25    Waverley – 7 days

4/1/25      Wellington – 4 days

Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low-mid range.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Adjudicative Committee determined that Ms Hudson’s level of carelessness was at the lower end of the scale. A starting point of a 5-day suspension was adopted, in accordance with the NZTR Penalty Guide.

Given that Ms Hudson was suspended only a week ago for a similar offence, an uplift of one day was initially considered appropriate. However, her forthright admission of the breach and the racing manners of COWBOY, which was over-racing and throwing its head around, were accepted as mitigating factors warranting a one-day reduction.

The Adjudicative Committee also notes that Ms Hudson made a genuine effort to ride with care, as evidenced by her looking inwards on several occasions prior to the shift.

It is noted that Ms Hudson is about to commence a suspension following a careless riding breach last Sunday.

Conclusion:

Ms Hudson’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 days, commencing after racing on Sunday November 30th, 2025 and concluding after racing on Sunday December 7th, 2025.