Whangarei RC 7 January 2025 – R6 – Joe Nishizuka

ID: RIB50449

Respondent(s):
Johji Nishizuka - Apprentice Jockey

Applicant:
Mr A Dooley - Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Mr G Jones and Mr L Ryan

Persons Present:
Mr Dooley, Mr B Jones, Mr Nishizuka, Mr K Harrison (assisting)

Information Number:
A19205

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Careless Riding

Rule(s):
638(1)(d) - Riding/driving infringement

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
PLEASE SIR

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
07/01/2025

Race Club:
Whangarei Racing Club

Race Location:
Ruakaka Racecourse - Peter Snell Road, Ruakaka, 0151

Race Number:
R6

Hearing Date:
07/01/2025

Hearing Location:
Whangarei RC, Ruakaka

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Apprentice Rider Joe Nishizuka is suspended for 4 days

Evidence

Following the running of Race 6, Apprentice Rider Mr Joe Nishizuka, admitted a charge of careless riding in that he permitted his mount PLEASE SIR to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of SPRING QUEEN (T Newman), which was checked passing the 200 metres.   

At the commencement of the hearing, Mr Nishizuka confirmed that he admitted the charge and that he understood the nature of the breach. He was supported at the hearing by Trainer Mr Ken Harrison.

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, Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr B Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses named in the Information.

Mr Jones said that approaching the 200-metre mark in the home straight, Mr Nishizuka shifted his mount inwards.  He continued to ride forward with his whip into the running line of SPRING QUEEN, who was checked and lost ground.  Mr Jones pointed out that PLEASE SIR was only 3/4 length clear of SPRING QUEEN, when Mr Nishizuka commenced the inward shift and at the moment SPRING QUEEN was checked, he was barely a length clear.

In response, Mr Nishizuka said that he agreed with the Stewards’ assessment of the incident.  Mr Harrison had nothing further to add.

Decision

As the Respondent admitted the charge, the Adjudicative Committee finds it to be proved.

Submissions for Penalty

Stipendiary Steward Mr Dooley advised that this is Mr Nishizuka’s second breach for careless riding from 160 race rides in the past 12 months.  His previous breach occurred at Tauranga RC on 16 November 2024 and resulted in a 5-day suspension.

Mr Dooley advised that Stewards assessed Mr Nishizuka’s level of carelessness to be in the low range, which has a 5-day suspension as its starting point.

Mr Nishizuka advised of riding engagements through until 10 January 2024 and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension. He had nothing further to add, in terms of penalty submissions.

Reasons for Penalty

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race films, the Adjudicative Committee determined the level of carelessness to be in the low range and adopted a 5-day suspension as the starting point.

The race films clearly demonstrate that Mr Nishizuka, whose mount was racing in a 3-wide position, has shifted inwards when not the required distance clear of SPRING QUEEN, who was checked and then weakened. Just prior to the incident, at about the 220 metre mark, there was minor contact between SPRING QUEEN and NO PLAN BE, albeit this was a separate incident to the check that SPRING QUEEN received from PLEASE SIR at the 200 metres.

Therefore, after considering all of the factors, including Mr Nishizuka’s culpability, his record and admission of the breach, the Adjudicative Committee afforded him a one day reduction from the starting point and imposed a 4-day suspension.

Conclusion

Mr Nishizuka’s request for a deferment is granted and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days, commencing after racing on 10 January 2025 and concluding after racing on 16 January 2025.

Decision Date: 07/01/2025

Publish Date: 08/01/2025