RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION

Informant: K R Williams, Stipendiary Steward

Defendant: G P & N M Hope

Information No: 68813

Meeting: New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club

Date: 6 July 2010

Venue: Addington Raceway, Christchurch

Race: 6

Rule No: 834 (1)

Judicial Committee: R G McKenzie, Chairman – J Millar, Chairman

Plea: Admitted

FACTS:

Information No. 68813 was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mrs K R Williams, against Licensed Public Trainers, Mr G P & Mrs N M Hope, alleging a breach of Rule 834 (1) in that Mr & Mrs Hope, as the trainers of ASSET RICH, an acceptor for Race 6, Airport Bookshop Pace, alleging that “ASSET RICH was late scratched at 8.00pm yesterday (5 July 2010) – the late scratching time 5.00pm”.

The information was filed with the Registrar on the raceday and was served on Mr Hope at the meeting of New Zealand Metropolitan TC at Addington Raceway on 16 July 2010. The information was heard at that meeting.

Mr Hope had signed the Statement by the Defendant on the information form indicating, firstly, that he admitted the breach and, secondly, that he did not wish to be present at the hearing of the information.

Rule 834 provides as follows:

(1)        Any person intending to scratch a horse from a race after it has been deemed to have accepted therefore, shall give notice to the Secretary of the Club to that effect before the official scratching time which shall also be the official right of re-entry time for any race meeting.

SUBMISSION(S):

Mr McIntyre, Stipendiary Steward, informed the Committee that the official  scratching time for the meeting was 5.00pm on 5 July 2010. Mr & Mrs Hope notified the scratching of ASSET RICH at 8.00pm on that date. Mr Hope’s explanation for the late scratching of ASSET RICH was that the horse had been sold. Mr McIntyre said that no other acceptor was denied a start in the race as a result of the late scratching.

REASON(S):

The Committee was satisfied that Mr and Mrs Hope had scratched ASSET RICH after the official scratching time in breach of Rule 834 (1). It noted Mr Hopes’ admission of the breach.

DECISION:

The charge was found proved.

SUBMISSIONS ON PENALTY:

Mr McIntyre submitted that a fine of $200 was appropriate.

 REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Committee noted Mr and Mrs Hope’s admission of the breach. The Committee further noted the range of fines actually imposed for breaches of the Rule ($200-$300). The Committee also took into account that no other horse had been denied a start.

PENALTY:

Mr and Mrs Hope were fined the sum of $200.

R G McKenzie                  J Millar

Chairman                        Committee Member

68813