Wellington RC 14 January 2023 – R9 – Wiremu Pinn

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 9, the Respondent Mr Wiremu Pinn admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d). The Information alleged that W Pinn  (STIMULANT) angled his mount outwards approaching the 600 metres, contacting RISING ROAD (O Bosson) with ROCKBURN (D Yendall) checked as a consequence.

Mr Pinn acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach, but requested permission to leave immediately due to having a plane to catch. He confirmed that Apprentice Mentor Ms Clapperton had been with him when he was questioned by the Stewards and charged with careless riding. He said he was happy for her to speak on his behalf and for the hearing to go ahead in his absence. The Adjudicative Committee proceeded on that basis.

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 N Goodwin demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Approaching the 600 metre mark, Mr Pinn angled his mount out from a midfield position, making contact with Mr Bosson’s mount, who in turn was forced out onto Mr Yendall, who was checked.

Mr Oatham said that Mr Pinn had told him the horse in front of him, ridden by Mrs Allpress, had steadied the pace.

Ms Clapperton said she could not see where Mrs Allpress steadied the pace.

Decision:
As Mr Pinn admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submission for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham produced Mr Pinn’s  riding record, which indicated four previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely:

14/5/22  Rotorua  4 days

12/10/22  Avondale 4 days

22/10/22  Waikato 7 days (Group 2 race)

3/12/22  Pukekohe 5 days

Mr Pinn  has had 420 mounts in the past 12 months.

Mr Oatham said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be above midrange with Mr Yendall fortunate not to fall.

Ms Clapperton said there was no need for Mr Pinn to do what he did and she considered his carelessness to be in the mid-high range.

Via telephone to Ms Clapperton, and after speaking with his Rider Agent, Mr Pinn advised of riding engagements through until Saturday January 21st and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

Reasons for Penalty:

Mr Pinn angled outwards abruptly from behind Mrs Allpress when he had no room to do so. It was not apparent on the films shown that Mrs Allpress had eased the pace. The films did confirm that Mr Pinn’s mount made contact with Mr Bosson’s mount on his immediate outside, who was then forced out onto Mr Yendall. For approximately 7 strides, Mr Yendall suffered significant interference. After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr Pinn’s carelessness to be above midrange and adopted an 8 day suspension as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 1 March 2022).

Mr Pinn’s riding record is of some concern, and was treated as an aggravating factor with this being his 4th  breach of the Careless Riding Rule in 3 months.  A 1-day uplift was applied.  Credit was given for his admission of the breach and the Adjudicative Committee had regard to his Apprentice Rider status.

After consideration of the above factors, an 8- day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

Mr Pinn’s request for a deferment is granted and his licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 8 days, commencing after racing on Saturday January 21st and concluding after racing on Monday February 6th.