Auckland TC - 30 April 2010 - R 7
869 (3) (b)
RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION
Informant: Mr J Muirhead – Stipendiary Steward
Defendant: Mr C Alford
Information No: 68605
Meeting: Auckland Trotting Club
Date: 30 April 2010
Venue: Alexandra Park
Race: 7
Rule No: 869 (3) (b)
Judicial Committee: Mr B Rowe, Chairman – Mr B Scott, Committee Member
Plea: Admitted
This is an information filed by Stipendiary Steward Mr J MUIRHEAD against Mr C ALFORD driver of BONAVISTA BAY alleging a breach of the above rule in that he drove his horse carelessly in the home straight causing a check to ROMULUS driven by Mr D DUNN.
Mr ALFORD admitted the breach and was present at the hearing.
Mr MUIRHEAD showed the film of the run down the home straight. He said BONAVISTA BAY moved outwards and was under a drive by Mr ALFORD who was using his whip in his right hand. About 30metres from the finish Mr ALFORD’s sulky wheel hit the leg of ROMULUS which was checked. ROMULUS finished 4th but its chances of finishing in a better placing were not affected. Mr ALFORD said his horse was having its 1st start on the track. It wobbled outwards entering the home straight and the horse on its inside had moved outwards and probably contributed to the outward movement of BONAVISTA BAY.
PENALTY
Mr MUIRHEAD said the offending was at the lower end of the scale of seriousness. This was a Group One race; the recommended starting point for penalty was a fine of $600 and/or 3 weeks suspension. He said Mr ALFORD is an Australian driver. His record showed only one relevant breach of the rules, that being on 7/12/09.
Mr ALFORD said drove between 1000 and 1500 times a year and the breach referred to was his only relevant breach in the last two years. He said he was a safe driver and would prefer a fine.
In fixing penalty the committee takes into account the guilty plea, the submissions of Mr MUIRHEAD and Mr ALFORD, the offending was at the lower end of the scale, the recommended starting point for penalty, Mr ALFORD’s overall excellent driving record, the status of the race – rule 1114 (2) (a) – and penalties recently imposed in Group races.
Balancing those matters, but with emphasis on the excellent driving record of Mr ALFORD and the offending being at the lower end of the scale, a fine of $400 is imposed.
B Rowe B Scott
CHAIR Committee Member
68605
