Whangarei RC 18 July 2026 – R3 – Tom Wigram

INTRODUCTION:

Following the running of Race 3, Apprentice Rider Mr Tom Wigram, assisted by Rider Mentor Mr N Harris, admitted a charge of careless riding filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).

The Information alleged that, as the Rider of LINE DANCER, Mr Wigram permitted his mount to shift inwards when insufficiently clear of MERRIAMA (M McNab), which was checked off the heels of LINE DANCER over the concluding stages.

Mr Wigram acknowledged that he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach. He was also supported at the hearing by his employer, Trainer Ms D Logan.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

EVIDENCE:

Using the available race films, Stipendiary Steward Ms K Jillings demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. Ms Jillings said that LINE DANCER ridden by Mr Wigram, shifted inwards from a 3-wide position over the concluding stages of the race.  In doing so, Mr Wigram continued to ride forward into the running line of MERRIAMA, whose Rider Mr McNab had to take a hold and steady his mount off the heels of LINE DANCER. Ms Jillings said that LINE DANCER was never the required distance clear of MERRIAMA at the time of the shift.

Mr Wigram said that he corrected his mount after Mr McNab called out to him.

Mr Harris said that Mr McNab shifted inward “right on the line”.  He also said that Mr Wigram stopped riding forward with his whip and corrected his mount.

Ms Logan said that Mr Wigram had done a good job correcting his mount. She said that he had only rolled in for two strides close to the line. She added that Mr Wigram had understood the importance of riding his mount out fully to the finish.

DECISION:

As the Respondent, Mr Wigram, admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

PENALTY SUBMISSIONS:

Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Dooley advised that Mr Wigram is an inexperienced Apprentice Rider, having only had 78 raceday rides to date in his short riding career. This is his first breach of the Rule.  He also added that he admitted the breach.

Mr Dooley said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range. He said the shift was the result of an error of judgement on Mr Wigram’s part.

Mr Wigram sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing on 25 July 2026. He had nothing further to add concerning penalty.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

After considering the submissions and reviewing the available race films, the Adjudicative Committee determined that Mr Wigram’s level of carelessness was in the low range, leading to a starting point of a 5-day suspension.

The footage showed that approximately 50 metres from the finish, Mr Wigram’s mount drifted inwards when ridden forward and under pressure.  He was not the required distance clear of MERRIAMA, who was finishing the race off quickly and whose Rider, Mr McNab, had to steady off the heels of LINE DANCER. The inward shift of about 2 -3 horse widths was not abrupt. Having regard to Mr Wigram’s inexperience, the low-level nature of the breach, Mr Wigram’s clear record under the Rule from 78 raceday rides, and his admission at the first opportunity, a two-day reduction is applied to the 5-day starting point.

Mr Wigram was advised that the leniency reflected in the two-day reduction is rarely applied. He was also advised that, should he breach the same Rule again in the near future, his inexperience may not be treated as a determinative factor. It is expected that Mr Wigram will learn from this incident and the leniency afforded to him on this occasion.

After considering all the above factors, a 3-day suspension is imposed.

CONCLUSION:

Mr Wigram’s request for a deferment is granted. His Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 3 days, commencing after racing on 25 July 2026 and concluding after racing on 31 July 2026.