Wellington RC 24 October, 2021 – R 4 – Mr Callum Jones

SUMMARY OF FACTS:

Following the running of Race 4 (IRT Sprint), an Information was lodged by Mr Goodwin alleging a breach of Rule 638 (1) (d) in that he (C Jones) allowed his mount to shift inwards passing the 400m when not clear of RUN TO PERFECTION which was checked.

Mr Goodwin used the hind view film to best highlight the incident. Mr Jones was the widest runner on the track and gradually moved inwards taking the line of RUN TO PERFECTION. Mr Asano was forced to check his mount and told the Stewards after the race that while he received interference from two horses it was Mr Jones on LONDON EXPRESS who moved first and started the incident.

REASON FOR DECISION:

As Mr Jones admitted the breach, it was deemed to be proved.

SUBMISSION FOR PENALTY:

Mr Goodwin said there were some mitigating factors. The check to Mr Asano was a result of 2 Riders moving off their lines of running and squeezing up RUN TO PERFECTION. Under normal circumstance Mr Jones would be advised to exercise more care but due to there being a protest and a relegation arising from the incident there had to be some consequences. The Stewards submitted that Mr Jones was less culpable than the other Rider and his carelessness was at the low end.

Mr Jones agreed with the Stewards that he drifted inwards but said the incident was made to look worse because Mr Asano’s mount was pushed out by Mr O’Malley back onto him. As soon as contact was made he pulled his mount off.

Ms Clapperton said horses coming off the shute at Trentham have a tendency to want to run in back to the rail. In her opinion, Mr Jones did quite a good job of steering and the fact that Mr Asano was a half to three quarters of a length behind placed him in Mr Jones’ blind spot.

Mr Goodwin described Mr Jones’ record as very good with two previous careless riding charges this year:

3/1/21         5 days

12/3/21       5 days

REASON FOR PENALTY

In setting penalty the Committee had regard to all submissions and was satisfied that Mr Jones level of carelessness was at the lower level. The Stewards admitted that his actions today would normally have attracted a warning but nonetheless by allowing his mount to drift inwards he was part of a sequence of events that culminated in RUN TO PERFERCTION suffering a severe check. Adopting a starting point of five days suspension a day was added for the successful protest against his horse LONDON EXPRESS. Mitigating factors were Mr Jones admission of the breach and his good record. Balancing up all factors a five day suspension was considered appropriate.

Mr Jones advised of riding commitments through until next Saturday.

PENALTY

Accordingly, Mr Jones’ License is suspended from the close of racing on Saturday October 30th  up to and including racing on Saturday November 6th, 2021