Wellington RC 22 March 2025 – R7 – Ryan Hurdle

EVIDENCE:

Following the running of Race 7, the “IRT WELLINGTON GUINEAS”, Mr Jones presented an Information charging Mr R Hurdle, the Rider of “JONSON” with careless riding.  He alleged that Mr Hurdle allowed his mount to shift inwards near the 1100 metre mark when not sufficiently clear of “DETRIMENTAL” (ridded by Mr J Riddell), which was dictated inwards into the line of “TARDELLI” (Mr M McNab), which clipped the heels of “DETRIMENTAL” so as to blunder and be forcibly checked.

Mr Hurdle did not admit the breach of the Careless Riding Rule 638(1)(d), and the matter proceeded to be heard on a defended basis.

The Adjudicative Committee heard and received evidence in the form of the race films with Mr N Goodwin’s opinion interpretation of them, Mr M McNab (as the Rider of “TARDELLI”), Mr J Riddell (as the Rider of “DETRIMENTAL”) and from Mr R Hurdle, the Respondent.

The evidence for the Informant was, in summary, to the effect that Mr McNab’s mount suffered tightening and pressure from DETRIMENTAL on its outside, with Mr Riddell riding that horse, evidence being that he was dictated to by inward movement of Mr Hurdle’s mount to his outside, from which he had “nowhere to go”.

Mr Hurdle, in his defence, said that he felt he was maintaining his proper line and on his “interpretation” of the race films, he contended he had kept his line “exactly” and it was the actions of Mr Riddell on “DETRIMENTAL” which led to the inward movement to cause the check of “TARDELLI”.

DECISION:

The Adjudicative Committee found the charge to be established.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Adjudicative Committee, after deliberating and reviewing the films and all the evidence, concluded that it was the inward movement of Mr Hurdle’s mount, uncorrected, which caused pressure to “DETRIMENTAL” from the outside, which started from Mr Hurdle’s mount which resulted in there being no room left for 4 runners and the severe blundering of “TARDELLI” would not have occurred had Mr Hurdle’s mount not have come into the line of Mr Riddell’s mount, when insufficiently clear.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Jones advised that Mr Hurdle rides in Australia and has not offended in 12 months when last in New Zealand.  He said that he had careless riding breaches in Australia on 12 February 2025 and 6 June 2024.  He was of the opinion that the level of carelessness for the present breach was in the mid/low range, which resulted in a severe check in a Group 2 Race with $250,000.

Mr Hurdle said he had rides in Australia for at least the next 7 days.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Adjudicative Committee took as a starting point, a 5 day’s suspension.  An uplift of 2 days was fixed because of the severe check resulting to “TARDELLI”, with a further uplifting of 1 day to reflect the status of the Group 2 Race.

CONCLUSION:

Accordingly, Mr Hurdle’s Licence to ride was suspended for 8 NZ National Riding Days, to commence at the end of racing on 29 March 2025 and to conclude after the end of racing on 10 April 2025.