Oamaru JC - 28 July 2010 - R 10
330(3)(c)
RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION
Informant: Mr Davidson, stipendiary steward
Defendant: Mr J Laking, licensed jockey
Information No: 6951
Meeting: Oamaru JC
Date: 28/7/10
Venue: Oamaru Racecourse
Race: 10
Rule No: 330(3)(c)
Judicial Committee: Geoff Hall, Chairman – J Eagles, Committee Member
Plea: Admitted
CHARGES: Mr Davidson alleged that Mr Laking failed to make the weight on GRAND RAPIDS in race 10.
Mr Laking admitted the charge, which we thus find proved.
FACTS: Mr Davidson stated that Mr Laking indicated to the stewards earlier in the day that he believed he would have difficulty riding GRAND RAPIDS at its carded weight of 55 kg. Mr Laking was only able to make 55.75. He was replaced on this horse by Mr Misbah. On being questioned by the Committee, Mr Davidson said that Mr Misbah was a senior jockey.
Mr Laking explained he had difficulty with his weight and had done his best to ride ½ a kilo over at 55.5 kg but had simply been unable to lose weight during the day, despite his best endeavours. He said he had not been able to sweat it off. We note there is no sauna on the racecourse.
Mr Davidson confirmed that Mr Laking had ongoing weight issues and had previously been fined $200 under this rule on 20 June last. He asked for a fine in the range of $200 to $250.
Mr Laking had no submission concerning penalty.
REASONS: Mr Laking has one previous breach of this rule some 5 weeks ago. He was fined $200 on that occasion. We take into account that the connections of the horse and those who wished to invest on the horse were not disadvantaged to any great extent, in that a senior rider was found to replace Mr Laking.
Taking into Mr Laking’s record and his ready and open admission of the breach, we believe the matter can again be dealt with by the way of a fine towards the lower end of the range.
DECISION: Mr Laking is fined the sum of $200 and reminded of his obligations under the Rules of Racing.
G Hall J Eagles
Chair Committee Member
6951
