RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION

Informant: K R Williams, Stipendiary Steward

Defendant: G W Hunt, Licensed Open Horseman

Information No: 68069

Meeting: Rangiora Harness Racing Club

Date: 15 June 2010

Venue: Addington Raceway, Christchurch

Race: 7

Rule No: 869 (4)

Judicial Committee: R G McKenzie, Chairman - S C Ching, Committee Member

Plea: Admitted

Also present:

FACTS:

Following the running of Race 7, 3 TAB’S Bishopdale-Bush Inn-Holy Grail Mobile Pace, an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mrs K R Williams, against Licensed Open Horseman, Mr G W Hunt , alleging a breach of Rule 869 (4) in that Mr Hunt as the driver of HOT WIRED in the race, “drove in a manner causing or likely to cause interference when shifting down the track and not clear of NOPLACETOHIDE (P T Court) resulting in this gelding breaking for several strides”.

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

Rule 869 provides as follows:

(4)     No horseman shall during any race do anything which interferes or is likely to interfere with his own horse and/or any other horse or its progress.

SUBMISSIONS:

Mr N G McIntyre, Stipendiary Steward, was called to give evidence. He said that he had watched the race from the patrol box at the end of the back straight. He had a clear and unobstructed view of the incident, he said. He said that he had heard Mr Court call for room. He showed video replays of the incident, just after the start of the 1950 metres mobile start event. He pointed out that HOT WIRED, driven by Mr Hunt, which had drawn the outside of the front row at barrier 8, shifted down and continued to shift down. Mr Court was established in the 3-wide line with horses on his inner. He was “squeezed up” by Mr Hunt. As a result, the head check on Mr Court’s horse came off and it raced with it off for the remainder of the race. Mr Hunt had no horses on his outside and, therefore, he was the only person who could relieve the pressure. It was observed that Mr Court’s horse broke for several strides.

DECISION:

The charge was found proved.

SUBMISSIONS ON PENALTY:

Mr Hunt had endorsed on the information form “Submission on possible penalty. Preference for suspension over fine if deemed guilty”.

Mrs Williams confirmed that penalty had been discussed with Mr Hunt and he indicated a preference for a fine. She submitted that an appropriate term of suspension would be 2 to 3 weeks. Mr Hunt had had 51 drives in the current season, Mrs Williams said. He had a clear record in terms of breaches under the Rule.

REASONS:

In determining penalty, the Committee took into account Mr Hunt’s admission of the breach, his previous good record and his preference for a fine. The Committee was satisfied that a term of suspension was an appropriate penalty in the circumstances of the case.

PENALTY:

Mr Hunt’s Open Horseman’s Licence was suspended from after the close of racing on this raceday up to an including Tuesday, 29 June 2010 – effectively 4 driving days

R G McKenzie                  S C Ching

Chairman                        Committee Member