Westport TC 28 December 2024 – R11 – Amanda Tomlinson

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 11, Cosmopolitan Hotel Trot, Open Driver, Amanda Tomlinson, as the Driver of GAZZA BEATT in the race, admitted a charge that she “drove carelessly racing into the first bend by allowing her horse to shift inwards checking OUR PEGASUS PEARL (Don Morrison) which broke and lost all chance.”

Rule 869 provides:

(3)  No driver in any race shall drive:- 

    (b) carelessly

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Matt Sole, had Stipendiary Steward, Shane Renault, show the available video replays of the incident, approximately 300 metres after the start of the 2600 metres standing start race, as the field raced out of the first bend. He pointed out OUR PEGASUS PEARL, which had drawn 1 and GAZZA BEATT, driven by Mrs Tomlinson, which had started from barrier position 1 on the second row.

Mr Sole pointed out that GAZZA BEATT was racing one out, with OUR PEGASUS PEARL on its inside. He said that GAZZA BEATT then shifted in racing out of the bend, tightening OUR PEGASUS PEARL and the leg of that runner struck GAZZA BEATT’s sulky wheel, resulting in its breaking and losing all chance in the race.

Mrs Tomlinson said that she had been racing one-out following SODS LAW (James Geddes). She said that at the time, she thought she had still been in the one-out line and had not shifted in until OUR PEGASUS PEARL had galloped. She thought she had been still on the back of SODS LAW, she said.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Sole said that Mrs Tomlinson has had 19 drives in the current season and has a clear record.

He submitted that the breach was high-level for penalty purposes because of the consequences – OUR PEGASUS PEARL had lost all chance. The Penalty Guide starting point for a high level, first breach is a 3-days suspension and that was the Stewards’ submission in this case, he said.

After a discussion, and a review of upcoming meetings, Mrs Tomlinson elected to take any term of suspension to commence after Reefton TC on 30 December, she said.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

This was a clear case of careless driving, properly admitted by Mrs Tomlinson. She has allowed her runner to shift in when not clear of the inside runner, OUR PEGASUS PEARL, which broke and lost all chance. The Adjudicative Committee agrees that it was a high-level breach because of the degree of carelessness and the consequences.

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) suggests a starting point for penalty for a high-level, first breach of a 3-days suspension. There are no relevant mitigating factors that warrant a discount from that starting point.

CONCLUSION:

Mrs Tomlinson’s request for a deferment is granted. Her Licence to drive in races is suspended from after the close of racing on 30 December 2024, up to and including 12 January 2025. The meetings intended to be encompassed by the period of suspension are Timaru HRC on 8 January 2025 and Nelson HRC on 10 and 12 January 2025. It is recorded that the training partnership of Ford/Tomlinson has no runners at the meeting of Rangiora HRC on 1 January 2025.