Hawkes Bay RI - 3 July 2010 - R 8
640(1)(b)
RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION
Informant: Mr J Oatham, Stipendiary Steward
Defendant: S.Doyle
Information No: 421
Meeting: Hawkes Bay Hunt
Date: 3 July 2010
Venue: Hastings
Race: 8
Rule No: 640 (1) (b)
Judicial Committee: N.Moffatt, Chairman - T.Castles, Committee Member
Plea: Admitted
CHARGES:
Following Race 8, the Just A Swagger Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase, an information was lodged alleging a breach of Rule 640 (1) (b). The information said: having not jumped the 2nd last fence S Doyle proceeded to jump the last fence on his mount “In Ya Dreams”.
Rule 640 (1) (b) states:-……if a horse misses a jump its Rider shall not proceed in the Race until the horse has negotiated the jump.
Mr Doyle admitted the breach of the rule.
FACTS:
During the latter stages of a 4800 meters race Mr Doyle was in last place trailing the field by 10 – 15 lengths. He did not jump the second to last fence but elected to follow the same path, to the inside of the course, taken by the horse in front of him, Triple Pan, which was being retired from the race. Mr Doyle on approaching the final jump decided to jump that one and rode his mount out over the concluding stages.
Mr Doyle, by way of explanation, said that he believed his horse was exhausted and completely out of contention when approaching the second to last jump so he elected to pull to the inside of the course and follow Triple Pan. As he did “In Ya Dreams” seemed to rally and get balanced again so Mr Doyle felt obliged to ride him out over the last fence. He was not aware that if he missed the previous fence he was obliged by the rules to go back and re-jump it if he wanted to officially finish the race.
SUBMISSIONS ON PENALTY:
Mr Oatham said the Stewards were puzzled by the actions of Mr Doyle which showed a lack of judgement and a clear error on his behalf. His submission was for a monetary penalty in the vicinity of $200 - $300.
My Doyle admitted he made a mistake when he changed his mind from retiring from the race. He believed that when his horse suddenly started travelling better he was obligated to ride it out over the concluding stages.
REASONS:
In coming to a decision on penalty the committee considered all of the submissions including Mr Doyle’s frank admission of the breach. His decision to retire “In Ya Dreams” from the race when so far out of contention and apparently struggling was the correct one. His actions in then riding the horse out over the final jump were curious as Mr Doyle, or the connections, had nothing at all to gain by doing so. The committee accepted that this was an error of judgement and a lack of understanding of the Rules of Racing.
PENALTY:
Taking into account all of the above Mr Doyle was fined the sum of $200.00
N.Moffatt T.Castles
Chair Committee Member
421
REQUEST FOR A RULING
Rule 640 (2)
Following the charge against Mr Doyle Mr Oatham made a request for a ruling in that: having not jumped the 2nd last fence the horse “In Ya Dreams” should be disqualified.
Rule 640 (2) states:
In the event of a breach of any other provisions of paragraphs (a), (b), (c)(i) and c(ii) of sub-Rule (1) of this Rule, in addition to any other penalty which may be imposed, the horse shall be disqualified for the race.
The committee having heard all the evidence during the charge against Mr Doyle was satisfied that “In Ya Dreams” did miss the 2nd to last jump. The rider should not have proceeded with the race until he had gone back and negotiated the jump. Mr Doyle did not do so therefore “In Ya Dreams” was officially disqualified from the race.
N.Moffatt T.Castles
Chair Committee Member
