Winton HRC 19 January 2022 – R7 – Brad Williamson

FACTS:

At the conclusion of Race 7 the Woodlands Stud Gold Chip Final Handicap Trot 2400m Mr Williamson (Our Countdown) was charged that he drove carelessly passing the 450 metres when striking a wheel whilst INSIST THE WIN (L Pearson) shifted ground with a tyre eventually deflating.

Mr Williamson did not admit the breach and confirmed he understood the Rule and was present throughout the hearing.

SUBMISSIONS:

Mr Munro showed the video replays of the alleged incident around the 450 metre mark.

Miss Haley (Stipendiary Steward) also assisted identifying the horses that were involved in the alleged incident.

Mr Munro stated that Miss Pearson has moved out into the three wide line which she is entitled to do and Mr Williamson has moved into a gap where there was insufficient room and as a result has contacted the tyre of INSIST THE WIN.

Mr Williamson stated that he did not believe that he had made contact, and that his horse OUR COUNTDOWN was hanging in and his horse’s legs were very close to the wheel of INSIST THE WIN. He believed that when INSIST THE WIN had come out he had also come backwards and that INSIST THE WIN had contributed to the incident.

Mr Williamson also stated that PYRAMID MYSTIC (R Mcllwrick) who was racing outside the leader had slowed considerably and that there was rebound effect, and because of this the horses that were following also had to take action.

Mr Munro did not disagree with Mr Williamson’s point regarding PYRAMID MYSTIC however he re-emphasised that the onus was on Mr Williamson in the situation to take corrective action.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Adjudicative Committee found the video clips of the incident conclusive in that Mr Williamson has not reacted to the situation and simply has made an error of judgement moving into a gap that was not sufficiently there to do so, and as a result has come into contact with the tyre of INSIST THE WIN.

SUBMISSION FOR PENALTY:

Mr Munro stated that this was Mr B Williamson’s second offence, the first being at the New Zealand Metropolitan Meeting (show day) 12/11/2021 where Mr Williamson was fined the sum of $400. Mr Munro submitted that he believed the range of carelessness in this instance was at the low end. INSIST THE WIN did not appear to be travelling that well at the time of the incident.

Mr Munro outlined that Mr Williamson has had 3787 lifetime drives, 380 last season and 21 this season.

The Penalty Guide in this instance for a second offence has a starting point of a 3 day suspension. Mr Munro believed a 2 day suspension could be considered for penalty.

Mr Williamson submitted that he believed the incident was at the low end of the scale and that INSIST THE WIN was not going to be in the money in this instance. He requested a 2 day suspension. Mr Williamson stated he had a large team of horses in work and that the Invercargill Harness meeting on the Saturday 29/01/2022 was a significant stake meeting opportunity.

Mr Munro confirmed that Mr Williamson would normally have between 5 and 7 drives on a southern race day which Mr Williamson confirmed and perhaps 1 or 2 at a meeting at Addington (Christchurch).

Mr Williamson was asked to outline his up and coming commitments where he believed he may have some opportunities to drive at the Banks Peninsula meeting on the Sunday 23/01/2022 on a horse in the Dean Taylor stable and also possibly a horse from Mr Cam Jones’ stable.

Mr Williamson could not recall the horses’ names.

At the request of the Adjudicative Committee Mr Munro checked the drives for the meeting on this Sunday and Mr Williamson was not declared at this point on either of the horses of the Trainers that were mentioned.

Mr Williamson did not seek deferment of penalty.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The starting point for a breach of this Rule is a 3 drive suspension.  The Adjudicative Committee determined that Mr Williamson’s level of carelessness was at the low end as described by Stipendiary Steward Mr Munro. Mr Williamson has made a simple error of judgment. In this instance he has not admitted the breach however a concession of a one day discount is appropriate given that Mr Williamson is a very busy and successful Trainer and Driver, and that the level of carelessness was at the very low end of the range.

The Adjudicative Committee therefore determined that a 2 day suspension was an appropriate penalty in this case.

CONCLUSION:

Mr Williamson is suspended from the conclusion of racing on Sunday 23/01/2022 up to and including Friday 28/01/2022. Relevant meetings encompassed in this period of suspension are Forbury Park at Wyndham 26/01/2022 and NZMTC at Addington 28/01/2022.