Oamaru JC - 1 August 2010 - R 5
614(2)
RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION
Informant: Mr Davidson, stipendiary steward
Defendant: Mr M Hamilton, licensed trainer
Information No: 6952
Meeting: Oamaru Jockey Club
Date: 1 August 2010
Venue: Oamaru Racecourse
Race: 5
Rule No: 614(2)
Judicial Committee: Geoff Hall, Chairman – J Eagles, Committee Member
Plea: Admitted
CHARGE: Mr Davidson alleged that Mr Hamilton saddled horse No.5 DECEPTIVE with the incorrect saddlecloth No.14 in race 5.
Mr Hamilton admitted the charge, which we thus find proved. He indicated he did not wish to be present.
FACTS/SUBMISSIONS: DECEPTIVE was found at the time of the plating inspection to be wearing the incorrect saddlecloth. Mr Davidson explained that the apprentice jockey riding the horse in race 5 had picked up the wrong number and Mr Hamilton had not realised the error.
Mr Davidson submitted that as Mr Hamilton had a recent previous breach of this rule a fine in the range of $150 to $200 was appropriate although he recognised there were again mitigating circumstances.
DECISION: Mr Hamilton’s record was clear under this rule for at least 3 years until the meeting here last Wednesday when he was fined $50 in mitigating circumstances. While the original error on this occasion was that of the rider of DECEPTIVE, the onus was clearly on Mr Hamilton to ensure that the horse had the correct number. This he failed to do.
We give credit for Mr Hamilton’s ready admission of the breach, and believe a fine of $150 is sufficient to hold Mr Hamilton accountable. He is reminded of his obligations.
