Forbury Park TC 22 April 2010 - R 3

RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION

Informant:  C Allison – Stipendiary Steward

Defendant:  Mr J Dunn – Open Horseman

Information No:  66892

Meeting:  Forbury Park Trotting Club

Date:  22 April 2010

Venue:  Forbury Park

Race:  3

Rule No:  869(3)(b)

Judicial Committee:  Mr G Hall, Chairman – Mr D Steel, Committee Member 

Mr Allison alleged that Mr J Dunn (OCEANIC) was guilty of careless driving in that he shifted ground inwards when insufficiently clear of HERE COMES DREAMY (D Johnston) causing HERE COMES DREAMY to break and lose all chance.

Mr Dunn admitted the breach of Rule 869(3)(b) (careless driving), which we thus find proved.

Mr Allison demonstrated on the videos that on the bend leaving the home straight the first time Mr Dunn shifted ground inwards coming into contact with HERE COMES DREAMY causing that horse to break and lose all chance. HERE COMES DREAMY, when galloping, inconvenienced two other horses, which had to take evasive action. Mr Allison stated Mr Dunn had endeavoured to keep OCEANIC clear of HERE COMES DREAMY but his actions were “just too late”.

Mr Dunn accepted that Mr Allison’s description of his actions was accurate and had nothing else to say.

We accept Mr Dunn did try to keep clear of HERE COMES DREAMY and we observed on the video that he did look down and back immediately after contact was made but this was clearly too late.

Mr Dunn’s record is excellent: 491 drives this season with no breaches. Balancing this factor and Mr Dunn’s ready and open admission of the breach against the fact that 2 horses were inconvenienced by the galloping HERE COMES DREAMY, we believe the matter can be dealt with by way of a fine.  Mr Dunn is fined the sum of $250.

G Hall                          D Steel

CHAIR                         Committee Member

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