Whangarei RC 20 August 2022 – R3 – Crystal Lindsay

Evidence

Following the running of race 3,  an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 636(1)(d).The Informant, Mr Oatham, alleged that Ms Lindsay failed to ride CHERRY LANE out to the finish when there was a reasonable chance of finishing into a higher placing.

Ms Lindsay acknowledged that she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach. She was supported in the hearing by Northern Riding mentor Noel Harris.

Rule 636(1) (d) provides:  A person being the rider of a horse in a race must ride his or her horse out to the end of the race if there is a reasonable chance of it running into a position for which there is prize money to be awarded or a dividend to be declared.

Mr Oatham demonstrated the incident using the available video footage. He identified Ms Lindsay relaxing her riding style in the latter stages of the race while in 4^th placing. Mr Oatham estimated that Ms Lindsay relaxed her style at least 3 strides prior to the finish. He said that the camera footage didn’t provide a good angle but it did show that INCY WINCY SPIDER did run past CHERRY LANE very late in the race beating it by a long head.

Mr Harris said that Ms Lindsay did stand up at least 3 strides prior to the finish. He said she was a young apprentice and he had reminded Ms Lindsay previously of her obligation to ride her horses to the finish when there was a chance of a better placing.

Ms Lindsay said that she agreed she did change her riding style and this was something she would learn from.

Decision

As Ms Lindsay admitted the breach the Adjudicative Committee find the charge proved.

Submissions For Penalty

Mr Oatham produced Ms Lindsay’s record which showed no previous breach under this Rule in the last 12 months. He said that Ms Lindsay had an excellent record and from 71 rides had not faced a charge under any Rule in her career to date. He said that Ms Lindsay was an inexperienced rider and the charge was at the lower end in terms of this type of breach.

Mr Oatham said that the starting point for a breach of this nature was a 2 calendar week suspension, however there were several mitigating factors that the Committee may wish to consider when assessing penalty.

After discussion Ms Lindsay confirmed that she wished to take any proposed suspension immediately.

Reasons For Penalty

The Committee carefully considered all the evidence and submissions presented. The Penalty Guide for Adjudicative Committees has a sliding scale for breaches of this Rule. The starting point relates to the potential placing deemed to have been lost as a result of the breach. A rider potentially missing out on 4th place faces a starting point of a 2 week suspension.

When reviewing the incident the Adjudicative Committee observed it was clear that Ms Lindsay relaxed her ride 3 strides prior to the finish line. It was unclear as to whether CHERRY LANE was in 4^th position prior to Ms Lindsay relaxing her ride, however for the purpose of the charge and the Rule this does not need to be proven.

The Adjudicative Committee adopted the Penalty Guide starting point of a 2 week suspension.

The Mitigating factors were Ms Lindsay’s admission of the breach, her inexperience and her excellent record to date. In consideration of these factors the Adjudicative Committee has reduced the suspension to 8 national riding days.

Penalty

Ms Lindsay is suspended from close of racing on the 20^th of August 2022 for a period of 8 national riding days, with her suspension concluding after racing on the 1^st of September 2022.