Otaki-Maori RC 7 October 2010 - R 12

RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION

Informant:  Mr N Goodwin, Stipendiary Steward

Defendant:  Mr B Lammas, Licensed Jockey

Information No:  5255

Meeting:  Otaki-Maori Racing Club

Date:  07 October 2010

Venue:  Otaki

Race:  12

Rule No:  638 (1) (d)

Judicial Committee:  Paul Williams, Chairman – Tom Castles, Committee Member 

Plea:  Admitted

CHARGES

Following the running of race 12, information 5255 was filed by Stipendiary Steward Mr N Goodwin under rule 638 (1) (d).  The information stated that “B Lammas, the rider of “Zenno Rolls Royce” angled his mount inward near the 100m when not clear of “Kicknupastorm” which was checked”.

Rule 638(1) (d) states “A rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Judicial Committee considers to be .....careless”

Mr Lammas indicated the breach of the rule was admitted and also that he understood the charge and the rule it was laid under.  As the breach of the rule was admitted the charge was found to be proven.

FACTS

Mr Goodwin used the head on and side on views of the film to demonstrate how the interference had occurred.  He pointed out Mr Lammas who was racing in the middle of the track and Mr Riddell, the rider of “Kicknupastorm”, racing just back and on the inside of Mr Lammas.  He said Mr Lammas angled his mount inwards when not the required distance in front of Mr Riddell causing a check to Mr Riddell.  He said he had spoken to Mr Riddell who had confirmed that his chances were not affected as he was a beaten runner at that point in the race.  However, Mr Goodwin said whilst Mr Riddell’s mount might have been a beaten runner he was still entitled to his line of running which had been taken from him by the inwards movement of Mr Lammas.

Mr Lammas said that all the way down the straight he had been just behind the leaders, was full of running and looking for a gap to get through.  He thought when he moved in at the 100m mark there was enough room but the film clearly showed that was not the case.

SUBMISSIONS ON PENALTY

Mr Goodwin said in his view the incident was at the low end of the scale and reiterated that Mr Riddell had said his chances had not been affected by the check he received.  He said Mr Lammas was trying to win the race but he had an obligation to move only when he was the required distance clear which in this case he was not.  He said Mr Lammas was a national rider who has not been charged under this rule for nearly 9 months and he submitted that a suspension of 4 days would be an appropriate penalty.

Mr Lammas said that in the event of him being suspended he would not wish to seek a deferment.

REASONS

The Committee has reviewed the films of the incident referred to and listened to all the submissions made.  It is clear that Mr Lammas has caused interference to Mr Riddell and “Kicknupastorm” when he moved inwards at the 100m mark when not the required distance clear of that horse.  We agree the interference is at the low end of the scale and have also taken into account Mr Lammas’ admittance of the breach and his very good riding record given he is a national rider who had not been charged under this rule since January 2010.

DECISION

The Committee has decided that a suspension is appropriate in this case and Mr Lammas is suspended from the close racing on Sunday 10 October 2010 to the close of racing on Saturday 16 October 2010 – in effect 4 riding days being Counties (13 October), Hawkes Bay (14 October), Otago (15 October ) and Wanganui (16 October).