Oamaru JC - 1 August 2010 - R 3
649(3)
RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION
Informant: Mr Davidson, stipendiary steward
Defendant: Mr K C Walters, apprentice jockey
Information No: 6933
Meeting: Oamaru Jockey Club
Date: 1 August 2010
Venue: Oamaru Racecourse
Race: 3
Rule No: 649(3)
Judicial Committee: Geoff Hall, Chairman – J Eagles, Committee Member
Plea: Admitted
CHARGE: Mr Davidson alleged that Mr Walters, rider of GUFI in race 3, weighed in 0.85 light of his correct weight.
Mr Walters admitted the charge, which we thus find proved. He was assisted at the hearing by Ms B Middlewood, licensed trainer.
FACTS/SUBMISSIONS: Mr K Walters the rider of GUFI, which finished 2nd last in race 3 weighed in 0.85 light of his correct weight.
Mr Walters had no explanation for the discrepancy and Mr Davidson indicated that exhaustive inquiries by the stewards could shed no light on the matter. The trainer of the horse had saddled it with the gear handed to him by Mr Walters and the stewards were satisfied that Mr Walters had not put his gear down after weighing out.
Mr Davidson stated Mr Walters had fully co-operated with the stewards and asked for a fine in the range of $250 to $350. He said Mr L had been fined $500 for a similar offence in April at Avondale.
Mr Walters stated that he was only an apprentice with limited means and asked that the fine be a low as possible.
We have looked at the L decision. Mr L was an experienced jumps jockey and there was a suggestion that the gear may have been left unattended briefly. This factor was absent from this case.
We have read rule 331(2) and note that without our intervention Mr Walters will forfeit his riding fee. We believe forfeiture is appropriate. However, in light of the fact that he is an apprentice with an excellent record, has fully co-operated with the stewards and admitted the breach, we believe a fine of $200 is a sufficient deterrent. The total financial penalty for Mr Walters will in effect be $320.
