Wanganui JC 25 November 2023 – R8 – Mereana Hudson
ID: RIB30099
Animal Name:
Ain't Bad
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
25/11/2023
Race Club:
Wanganui Jockey Club
Race Location:
Wanganui Racecourse - 19 Purnell Street, Whanganui, 4500
Race Number:
R8
Hearing Date:
25/11/2023
Hearing Location:
Wanganui Racecourse 19 Purnell Street Whanganui 4500
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: No Penalty Imposed
Background:
Following the running of Race 8, the ‘Waipine Logging/John Turkington Forestry 2040’, an Information was lodged alleging a breach of Rule 636(1)(d).
Detail in respect of the Information is as follows:
‘in that she failed to ride her mount out to the end of the race when there was a reasonable chance of her finishing in 5th place’
Rule 636(1)(d) provides: A person being the Rider of a horse in a race, must ride his horse out to the end of the Race if there is a reasonable chance of it running into a position for which there is prizemoney to be awarded or a dividend to be declared.
Ms Hudson confirmed to the Adjudicative Committee that she admitted the breach.
Evidence:
Using available films, Stewards identified the incident. Just prior to the 100 metre mark, Ms Hudson is seen to strike her mount, and is riding forward. At this point, she is in 5th place and ahead of Ms O’Malley (SEFTON) by approximately a long neck. Stewards contended that Ms Hudson failed to ride out by putting her hands down 3 strides from the finish line, resulting in AIN’T BAD losing fifth place by a short head. When asked for comment, Ms Hudson conveyed that she had done so in reaction to the movement of WALKINTHEPARK (Mr Johnathan Parkes). Approaching the finish line, this horse had moved out to avoid the riderless horse to it’s inside. The difference in prize money between 5th and 6th was $400.
The Adjudicative Committee asked to view the stage of the race where the field left the front straight on the first occasion. AIN’T BAD was at this point, in last place, with Ms Hudson required to take action to avoid a fallen Rider. Ms Hudson said that witnessing the fall had affected her judgement.
Decision:
As the charge was admitted, it was deemed proved.
Penalty Submissions:
Stewards referred to the current Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide which recommends as starting point, a fine of $300 where a breach of this Rule results in 5th place being lost. Stewards saw no reason to depart from same. Ms Hudson did not offer comment in respect of penalty.
Reasons for Penalty:
Ms Hudson admitted a breach for failing to ride her horse out to the finish, and the Adjudicative Committee confirmed the breach based on film evidence and oral submissions.
Nevertheless, significant mitigating circumstances were identified. Ms Hudson found herself at the rear of the field, directly witnessing a sudden fall incident. Her horse had to negotiate past the Rider on the ground, and the race proceeded with the riderless horse advancing to the front.
In determining penalty, it is important to consider all inputs relevant to the offence. It was noted that several Jockeys returned to scale in a distressed state. Acknowledging the impact of the fall on Ms Hudson’s judgment, the Adjudicative Committee accepted her explanation. She adapted her riding to avoid WALKINTHEPARK, whom she believed was shifting outward to steer clear of the riderless horse over the concluding stages of the race.
After thorough deliberation, the Adjudicative Committee determined that imposing a fine would be inappropriate. Consequently, the final decision was the non-imposition of any penalty.
Conclusion:
No penalty was applied.
Decision Date: 25/11/2023
Publish Date: 27/11/2023