Auckland RC - 25 September 2010 - R 3
614(2)
RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION
Informant: Mr Williamson
Defendant: Mrs L McGregor
Information No: 7673
Meeting: Auckland Racing Club
Date: 25 September 2010
Venue: Ellerslie
Race: 3
Rule No: 614(2)
Judicial Committee: R Seabrook, Chairman – A Dooley, Committee Member
Plea: Admitted
CHARGES:
Following race 3 an Information was filed pursuant to rule 614(2). The informant Mr Williamson alleged that Mrs L McGregor failed to put the lead bag on her horse POSTAGE when being saddled for race 4.
FACTS:
Mr Williamson told the committee that when Mrs McGregor presented her horse to the plate inspector it was found that the lead bag was missing. Subsequently the lead bag was found in the saddling stalls. The horse then raced once the lead bag was added.
SUBMISSION(s):
Mrs McGregor admitted her negligence and said it was an honest mistake. She said she had only had 4 horses to the races before and was somewhat nervous in saddling up the horse. She agreed it was entirely her responsibility to ensure that the horse was saddled correctly.
SUBMISSION(s) ON PENALTY:
Mr Williamson said Mrs McGregor had a clean record and had been completely honest with the stewards. However the repercussions if the error had not been discovered could have been serious. He submitted past breaches of this rule had incurred $500 fines which he believed was appropriate in this case.
Mrs McGregor had nothing to say regarding penalty.
REASON(s):
The committee considered the evidence as presented. We took into account that Mrs McGregor admitted the breach and that this was her first charge. However these factors must be weighed against the seriousness of such a breach of the rule. If the omission of the lead bag had not been discovered and the horse had finished in a stake bearing position disqualification would have been the result. This would have resulted in losses to the betting public and the connections.
PENALTY:
Accordingly after taking all the above facts into account and to maintain consistency under this rule we impose a fine of $500.
