Manawatu RC - 9 April 2010 - R 2

RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION

Informant:  Mr N Goodwin – Stipendiary Steward

Defendant:  Mr J Riddell

Information No:  6795

Meeting:  Manawatu Racing Club

Date:  9 April 2010

Venue:  Awapuni

Race:  2, 4, 6, 8

Rule No:  330 (3) (c)

Judicial Committee:  N Moffatt, Chairman – P Williams, Committee Member 

Following the running of race 2, Mr Riddell was charged with failing to make the required weight for four horses under rule 330 (3) (c).  The information alleged that “J Riddell failed to make the required weight for MYSTACINA (R2), MIGHT’N PAUA (R4), AUTUMN TOURS (R6) and STONEWASHED (R8).

Rule 330 (3) (c) states “A rider shall not ....fail to ride a horse at the weight for which it is handicapped to carry......”

Mr Riddell indicated on the information he admitted this breach of the rules.  He also agreed he understood the charge and the rule it was laid under.  As the breach of the rule was admitted the charge was proven.

Mr Riddell said that he had arrived at the course with stomach pains but had ridden in the highweight race (R1) because he didn’t want to let the trainer down. He said that today was his first day back riding after a 5 day suspension and whilst he thought he was slightly heavier than usual he thought he would be able to make the 56kg (his normal minimum riding weight) he was required to ride at in races 2, 4, 6 and 8.  He also said he had troubles with his sauna during the week but these had been fixed the day before the races.

Penalty Submission

Mr Goodwin said Mr Riddell had two previous charges under this rule in the previous 12 months – Wairoa (February 2010) and Feilding (May 2009) – and whilst the Stewards would normally be seeking a fine in excess of $200 for 4 breaches of the rule the mitigating circumstances, and in particular the fact that Mr Riddell had not been riding for a week, meant that the Stewards were seeking a fine in the region of $200.

Mr Riddell had no comment to make on penalty other than to readily admit there was no one to blame but himself.

Decision

In coming to a decision on penalty the Committee has considered the submissions put before it.  We have taken into account Mr Riddell’s frank admittance of the breach, his good record and recent penalties imposed under this rule. We accept the Stewards recommendation that a fine should be imposed and we impose a fine of $200.

N Moffatt                                 P Williams                                

Chair                                        Committee Member                  

6795