Auckland RC - 3 April 2010 - R 7

RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION

Information No:  357

Meeting:  Auckland Racing Club

Date:  3 April 2010

Venue:  Ellerslie

Rule No: 638 (1) (D)

Judicial Committee: R Seabrook, Chairman - G Jones, Committee Member 

Following Race 7 an Information was filed pursuant to rule 638 (1) (D).  The Informant, Mr Oatham alleged that Miss M Vance permitted her mount ANTARCTICA to shift inwards near the 800 metres when not sufficiently clear of READALLABOUTIT which was checked.

Ms Vance admitted the breach of the rule and was represented by trainer Mr J McVean.

Mr M Williamson demonstrated the video films and showed the Committee ANTARCTICA, ridden by Miss Vance, racing in a 3 off position, ¾ of a length behind CANNYMAC (R Jones).  Approaching the 800 metres Miss Vance attempted to move closer to the rail so steadied her mount but when moving in she took the line of READALLABOUTIT when insufficiently clear.  The film clearly showed READALLABOUTIT being crowded and checked.  Mr Williamson said ANTARCTICA may have dipped when moving in and overreacted.

Miss Vance admitted she was moving in to get closer to the rail but felt the check to READALLABOUTIT was exacerbated due to the fact that her mount changed legs and overreacted causing it to dip.  However she said she did not mean to move in as much as she had when starting the inward move.

Mr McVean said it appeared to him that ANTARCTICA had overreached and dipped, causing it to move in and interfere with READALLABOUTIT.

PENALTY SUBMISSIONS

Mr Oatham produced Miss Vance’s record which showed 3 suspensions in the last 12 months.  He said in this instance there was some mitigation in Miss Vance’s favour in that ANTARCTICA overreacted when being moved closer to the rail.  However he said this was initiated through the actions of Miss Vance.  He submitted this was at the lower end of carelessness.

Miss Vance said she had commitments until 10 April 2010.

PENALTY

The Committee carefully considered all evidence and submissions as presented.  Before imposing an appropriate penalty the mitigating factor of ANTARCTICA overreacting was taken into account as well as Miss Vance’s riding record and her guilty plea.  However these have to be balanced with the resultant interference to READALLABOUTIT caused by Miss Vance moving in when not sufficiently clear.  The Committee however finds Miss Vance’s carelessness to be at the low end. 

Taking all the above into account we impose a suspension on Miss Vance from riding in races to start after racing on 10 April 2010 and conclude after racing on 21 April 2010. (4 days) 

Richard Seabrook                    Gavin Jones

CHAIR                                     Committee Member

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