Wyndham HRC 8 September 2022 – R2 (heard 24 September 2022 at Winton) – Andrew Armour
ID: RIB11188
Animal Name:
Jabali
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
08/09/2022
Race Club:
Wyndham Harness Racing Club
Race Location:
Wyndham Racecourse - Alma St, Wyndham, 9892
Race Number:
R2
Hearing Date:
24/09/2022
Hearing Location:
Winton Racecourse
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Driver Andrew Armour was fined the sum of $250
Background
Mr Andrew Armour was charged under Rule 869(3)(b) careless driving at the Wyndham Harness meeting on the 8th of September 2022.
The hearing was not able to be held and was adjourned to the Winton Harness meeting on the 24th of September 2022.
Summary of Facts
The Respondent Mr Andrew Armour, admitted a breach of Rule 869(3)(b) namely that he allowed his horse JABALI to move outwards when not sufficiently clear of TISBURY ROCKS (K Green) striking its sulky wheel with its wheel puncturing.
Rule 869(3)(b): No driver in any race shall drive carelessly.
Using the available video footage Stipendiary Steward Miss Rebecca Haley identified the horses in the incident. Miss Haley said the video footage did not highlight the incident, but the consequence of Mr Armour moving out and the proximity of racing, with TISBURY ROCKS striking the sulky wheel. Mr Armour whilst admitting the breach, believed there were several contributing factors, in that TISBURY ROCKS had been half carting for at least 150 metres and that Mr Orange’s horse was also hanging out on the bend.
Decision
The charge is admitted by the Respondent and is therefore deemed proved.
Submissions for Penalty
Mr Renault submitted that Mr Armour had a clear record under this Rule. He stated that Mr Armour has had 3,523 lifetime drives, 59 last season and 29 this season.
The Stewards believed that the level of carelessness was low. The Penalty Guide provides a starting point of a 6 day suspension or a $300 fine. The Stewards advised that in recent times a penalty of $250 was deemed appropriate.
Reasons for Penalty
On this occasion the Adjudicative Committee viewed the breach at the low level and given Mr Armour’s excellent record and early admittance, a suspension was not appropriate and a fine was imposed.
Conclusion
Mr Armour was fined the sum of $250.
Decision Date: 24/09/2022
Publish Date: 27/09/2022