South Canterbury RC - 20 June 2010 - R 7

RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION

Informant:  M Davidson Stipendiary Steward

Defendant:  C W Johnson

Information No:  5624

Meeting:  South Canterbury Racing Club

Date:  20 June 2010

Venue:  Timaru

Race:  7

Rule No:  638 (1)(d)

Judicial Committee:  KG Hales, Chairman    P Rosanowski, Committee Member

Plea:  Admitted

CHARGES: 

Following the running of Race 7, Licensed Jockey CW Johnson was charged with a breach of Rule 638 (1)(d).  That Rule reads as follows:

“A rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Judicial Committee considers to be:

(d)        careless.”

FACTS:

It was alleged that passing the 1,000 metres, “Showmaker” (ridden by CW Johnson) shifted inwards when not clear, dictating “Bounty Blue” inwards and causing severe crowding to “Ballaphun” and “Bent”. 

Mr Johnson admitted the charge, which is deemed to be proved. 

The incident was demonstrated on video by Mr AR Coles, Stipendiary Steward, using head-on and side-on camera views.  Approximately 200 metres after the start of the race, Mr Johnson began an inward movement when he was hardly a length clear of runners on his inside.  As a consequence of this, the line of “Bounty Blue” was dictated by Mr Johnson, and that horse, in turn, caused “Ballaphun” and “Bent” to be crowded. 

Mr Coles acknowledged that there was a possibility of “Sneaky” ridden by L M Robinson having contributed to the incident by moving outwards, but he said it would be slight.  The side-on camera view confirmed the allegation that Mr Johnson was not his own length and another length clear at the time that he began his inward movement, which caused the incident.

Mr Johnson did not have a lot to say with regard to the incident, but commented that he thought that possibly “Sneaky” did make a contribution to the incident.

SUBMISSIONS ON PENALTY:

Mr Davidson, Stipendiary Steward, told the hearing that Mr Johnson, in the last racing season, had received three suspensions.  He received a three-day suspension at Greymouth in January 2010, a four-day suspension at Wellington during April, and a five-day suspension at Riccarton during May.  Mr Davidson commented that this was a reasonable record for a busy rider who rides on a national basis.  With regard to the degree of carelessness, Mr Davidson observed that three runners were crowded for several strides.  He rated the degree of carelessness in the medium range. 

In reply, Mr Johnson acknowledged that a suspension was the usual penalty, but requested a deferment of the coming into effect of the penalty for the maximum allowable period of seven-days, as he said that he was committed to rides at Riccarton on 26 June, and also at Otaki on 27 June.  He also believed that his racing manager was negotiating rides for him at Whanganui on 24 June. 

We delivered the following oral decision on race day.

“We have given careful consideration to the video evidence and note that Mr Johnson’s actions did cause severe crowding to at least three other runners as alleged.  There may have been some slight outward movement from LM Robinson’s mount, “Sneaky”, but our reading of the video evidence is that “Sneaky” was probably clear of the affected horses at the relevant point. 

Be that as it may, Mr Johnson has admitted the charge and he must be given credit for that.

We note that Mr Johnson has received three suspensions in the last twelve months, but when that is considered against the background of his having ridden in excess of 600 horses in the season so far, his record must be regarded as reasonable in the circumstances. 

We agree with the Stipendiary Stewards that the degree of carelessness was in the range of medium.  The Stipendiary Stewards have submitted that a four-day suspension should be imposed. 

Mr Johnson acknowledged that a suspension was inevitable, but requested that he be permitted a seven-day deferment of the penalty.  He has likely engagements at Whanganui on 24 June, Riccarton on Saturday 26 June and at Otaki on Sunday 27 June.  We grant that deferment". 

DECISION:

We agree with the Stipendiary Stewards submission that a four-day suspension is appropriate, and that suspension will commence at the conclusion of racing on Sunday 27 June and will expire at the conclusion of racing on Sunday 4 July. 

That period of suspension will encompass meetings at Oamaru, Hawera, Avondale and Waimate.

K Hales                       P Rosanowski

Chairman                    Committee Member

5624