Wellington RC 18 March 2023 – R8 – Jasmine Fawcett

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 8 (Group 1 NZ Oaks), the Respondent Class A Rider, Ms J Fawcett admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that she permitted MISCHIEF MANAGED to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear of FABULOUS GAL which was checked near the 400 metres.

Ms Fawcett 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 Judicial Committee considers to be careless.

Using head-on, side, rear and drone views Stipendiary Steward, Mr N Goodwin demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

He said Ms Fawcett came around the bend positioned midfield. She then shifted out abruptly into the line of rider Mr Doyle contacting that runner. Mr Doyle (FABULOUS GAL) was forced to check and subsequently clipped a heel of HELLY BELLY to his outside.

In response, Ms Fawcett asked to revisit the drone footage. She conceded she was not clear when she moved out but believed HELLY BELLY moved inwards and contributed to FABULOUS GAL clipping a heel.

Decision:

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

Submission for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr Oatham produced Ms Fawcett’s riding record over the preceding 12-month period:

12/6/22 – 7 days

16/7/22 – 6 days

1/11/22 – 7 days

27/11/22 – 7 days

11/2/23 – 7 days

18/3/23 – 10 days

The Respondent has had 456 mounts in the past 12 months.

Mr Oatham said this was now Ms Fawcett’s 7^th breach of the careless riding Rule in the last 12 months and they would be referring her to the Rider Skills Review Panel.

Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in mid-range. He said there was sustained pressure on Mr Doyle’s mount from Ms Fawcett and while HELLY BELLY may have moved in slightly the interference was already occurring and this was only a minor factor in the incident.

Ms Fawcett said there was nothing much further she could really say except that it was up to the Adjudicative Committee to decide if HELLY BELLY had contributed to the incident.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions the Adjudicative Committee determined Ms Fawcett’s carelessness to be mid-range. The films clearly show a quick and sharp outward movement by Ms Fawcett as she was seeking racing room soon after rounding the home turn. She has moved out abruptly without taking proper precautions to ensure that she was clear of the horses racing on her outside. Mr Doyle was pushing his mount forward when she contacted him. HELLY BELLY who was outside Mr Doyle did step in but the damage had already been done. Mr Doyle clipped a heel and dipped badly.  Ms Fawcett went on to run third.

The Adjudicative Committee adopted a starting point of 7 days (suspension) which conforms with the most recent penalty guide. Ms Fawcett has a poor record of breaches under the careless riding rule with this being her 2^nd breach today. An uplift of 1 day was applied. Repeated violations demonstrate a pattern of behaviour that cannot be tolerated and puts other participants in Horse Racing at risk.  No credit was given for admission of the breach.

The Stewards have rightly indicated that Ms Fawcett will be referred to the Rider Skills Review Panel reflecting the serious view held of repeated breaches.

Rule 920(2) empowers an Adjudicative Committee in imposing a penalty to have due regard to such matters as it considers appropriate including: (a) the Status of the Race; (b) the stake payable in respect of the Race.; and / or (c) the consequences.  On this occasion due to the Group 1 status of the Race the Adjudicative Committee applied a further uplift of 3 days. In addition, Ms Fawcett ran 3^rd in the race earning approximately $2,000 in stake money.

After consideration of the above factors an 11-day suspension and a $1,000 fine were considered an appropriate penalty.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted and her licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 11 days commencing after racing on Friday April 14^th and concluding after racing on April 29^th.