Forbury Park TC 6 May 2010 - R 1 & 7 (heard 14 May 2010 at Forbury Park)

RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION         

Informant:  Mr P T Knowles - Stipendiary Steward

Defendant:  Mr J Clementson

Information No:  67439 

Meeting:  Forbury Park Trotting Club

Date:  6 May 2010, heard Friday 14 May 2010

Venue:  Forbury Park, Dunedin

Race:  1 and 7

Rule:  834 (2) (a)

Judicial Committee:  Mr A Dennis, Chairman – Mr David Steel, Committee Member

Plea:  Admitted

CHARGES:

It was alleged that Mr Clementson committed a breach of Rule 834 (2) (a) in that he failed to present MAJOR DOMUS (Race 1) and CONAGHER (Race 7), at the Forbury Park Trotting Club meeting on 06 May 2010, requiring them to be late scratched.

Mr Clementson admitted the breach and was present at the hearing.

Mr P T Knowles, Stipendiary Steward, stated that at approximately 5pm on Thursday 06 May stewards received notification of the late scratching of the two Clementson horses.  As explanation, Mr Clementson stated that he thought that the meeting was to be held on Friday 07 May and realized his error too late to attend.  In mitigation, he stated that he had been unwell as a result of an accidental knock to the head which may have contributed to his lapse of concentration.

SUBMISSIONS ON PENALTY:

Mr Knowles submitted that a fine of $200 was appropriate given that this was a genuine error on Mr Clementson’s part. 

The Committee adjourned to consider penalty.

DECISION:

After considering all the relevant information, the Committee imposed a fine of $200.  In reaching this decision, the Committee took into account:

1.       Guilty plea.

2.       No other breaches of this type.

3.       The accident sustained by Mr Clementson.

4.       Mr Knowles’ submission that the minimum fine was appropriate.

A G Dennis               D Steel

Chair                         Committee Member

67439