Whangarei RC 5 January 2024 – R4 – Tegan Abel

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 4, the Respondent Class B Rider, Tegan Abel admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of TRUE STORY, she permitted her mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of FASHION DELIGHT (W Kennedy), which was checked near the 1000m. 

The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach. Trainer, Mr M Rogers was present and assisted Ms Abel.

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

Using the available Race films, Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr Oatham said that Ms Abel was riding forward on the outer after jumping from an outside barrier gate. He said that Ms Abel was looking to shift in when not clear of FASHION DELIGHT whose Rider, Mr Kennedy, had to take a strong hold and sharply check his mount.  At the time of shifting in, Mr Oatham said she was barely one length clear.

In response, Ms Abel said her mount raced greenly and was having only its second race start. She also said that Mr Kennedy was looking to shift in at the same time as her shift.

Mr Rogers said that his horse was green and reiterated that Mr Kennedy was also looking around to shift in.

Decision:

As Ms Abel admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submission for Penalty:

Mr Dooley produced Ms Abel’s riding record which indicated one previous breach of the careless riding Rule in the past 12 months from 123 rides.  This occurred on 9 December 2023 at Pukekohe and resulted in a four day suspension.

Mr Dooley said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low to mid range, due to the actual shift being low level but the consequences to Mr Kennedy’s mount were mid-range.

Ms Abel advised of riding engagements through until the 10 January 2024 at Matamata and sought a deferment until after racing on that date.  She had nothing further to add in relation to penalty submissions.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent’s carelessness to be in the low-mid range and adopted 6-day (suspension) as the starting point.

The available films clearly established that Ms Abel shifted in when not the required distance clear of FASHION DELIGHT, who was checked and momentarily lost ground.  The Adjudicative Committee agrees with the Stewards assessment in that the inward shift was low, but the consequences to Mr Kennedy’s mount were in the mid-range. Thus the mid-to low range categorisation of the breach.

The Respondent’s riding record is good, this being her second breach in the past 12 months albeit, the previous breach occurred less than 4 weeks ago.  Her record combined with her admission of the breach resulted in a 1 day reduction from the 6 day starting point. Therefore, after consideration of the above factors, a 5 day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

Ms Abel’s request for a deferment is granted and her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 5 days commencing after racing on 10 January 2024, and concluding after racing on 17 January 2024.