Taranaki TR 21 August 2010 - R 2

RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION

Informant:  N.Goodwin

Defendant:  W. Thurlow

Information No:  431

Meeting:  Taranaki Thoroughbred Racing

Date:  21 August 2010

Venue:  New Plymouth

Race:  2

Rule No:  614 (2)

Judicial Committee:  N.Moffatt, Chairman - I. Smith, Committee Member

Plea:  Admitted

CHARGES:

An information was filed by Mr N. Goodwin alleging a breach of Rule 614 (2) in that Mr Thurlow was neglectful in saddling when presenting the horse Diva’s Magic to race without the lead bag.

Rule 614 (2) reads:

A person must not be neglectful or careless in saddling a horse.

FACTS:

Mr Thurlow is a licensed Class A trainer of the horse Diva’s Magic.

Mr Goodwin told the committee that during the plate inspection one of the stipendiary stewards noticed that the lead bag was missing off Diva’s Magic. The horse was taken back to the stalls and saddled correctly prior to heading out onto the racetrack.

SUBMISSIONS ON PENALTY:

Mr Goodwin said that this was a serious omission by the trainer and other breaches of this rule had incurred average monetary penalties of $500.

Mr Thurlow offered no excuses and said it was a genuine mistake.

REASONS:

In coming to a decision on penalty the committee considered Mr Thurlow’s forthright and honest admission of the breach, his perfect record and other similar breaches of Rule 614 (2). It was fortunate that his mistake in leaving off the lead bag was noticed, and corrected, prior to the race.

PENALTY:

Mr Thurlow was fined the sum of $500.