South Canterbury RC - 20 June 2010 - R 10

RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION

Informant:  M Davidson Stipendiary Steward

Defendant:  J Laking

Information No:  5623

Meeting:  South Canterbury Racing Club

Date:  20 June 2010

Venue:  Timaru

Race:  10

Rule No:  330 (3)(c)

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

Plea:  Admitted

CHARGES:

Early in the day’s racing on Sunday 20 June, Licensed Jockey J Laking, reported to the Stipendiary Stewards that he would not be able to make the weight that he had contracted to ride for the horse “All Emotional” which was a starter in Race 10.  He had contracted to ride at a weight of 55.5 kilograms and at that time, his weight was slightly in excess of 56.5 kilograms.  Thus, he said he would struggle to make the weight even allowing for the 0.5 kilogram tolerance level.

Accordingly, Mr Laking was charged pursuant to Rule 330 (3)(c) which reads as follows:

“(3)      A rider shall not:

(c)        Fail to ride a horse at the weight at which it is handicapped to carry.”

As a consequence of this, Mr Laking was replaced on “All Emotional” by RJ Bishop.

SUBMISSIONS ON PENALTY:

Mr Davidson submitted that Mr Laking has been struggling with weight issues of recent times, but acknowledged that he was only just over the contracted weight. 

It was observed that Mr Laking was charged with a similar offence in October 2009, when he was fined $200. 

Mr Davidson submitted that the fine of between $100 and $200 was appropriate.

REASONS:

We have taken into account Mr Laking’s early admission of the charge, and he is given credit for that.  We are also grateful to Mr Laking for his having alerted the stewards to the problem early in the day.

DECISION:

In the circumstances, we consider that a fine of $200 is appropriate and Mr Laking is fined accordingly.

K Hales                        P Rosanowski

Chairman                    Committee Member

5623