Waimate RC - 4 July 2010 - R 9

RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION

Informant:  Mr M Davidson, Stipendiary Steward 

Defendant:  Mr D Stackhouse

Information No: 5627

Meeting:  Waimate R 9

Date: Sunday 4 July 2010

Venue:  Waimate

Race:  9

Rule No: 638(1)(d)

Judicial Committee:  G Hall, Chairman – D Steel, Committee Member 

Plea:  Admitted

Also Present:  Ms P Gerard, licensed trainer, assisting Mr Stackhouse

CHARGE:

Mr Davidson alleged a breach of R 638(1)(d) in that Mr Stackhouse, the rider of HAPPY GO LUCKY, allowed his mount to shift out when not clear and caused IAN CHARLES (D Bothamley) to be checked. This happened near the 175 metre mark.

FACTS AND SUBMISSIONS:

Mr Davidson had Mr Coles demonstrate the incident on the videos. Mr Coles said Mr Stackhouse’s mount HAPPY GO LUCKY had moved out about one horse width and he had crowded Mr Bothamley who had to briefly stop riding. Mr Coles demonstrated that Mr Stackhouse was at best only ¾ of a length clear of Mr Bothamley when he moved out.

Mr Stackhouse and Ms Gerard agreed with this description of the breach, emphasising the movement was not great and that Mr Walters, who was on Mr Bothamley’s outer, had moved in a little just prior to the incident and that this had accentuated the pressure on Mr Bothamley.

Mr Stackhouse admitted the charge, which we thus find proved.

SUBMISSIONS AS TO PENALTY:

Mr Davidson described the breach as being mid to low end. He produced Mr Stackhouse’s record, which showed two breaches of this rule this season. Mr Davidson stated Mr Stackhouse was a national rider and submitted a four day suspension was appropriate.

Ms Gerard emphasised it had been an extremely busy week for Mr Stackhouse. He had done a lot of travelling, had ridden over the jumps as well as on the flat, and his concentration might have lapsed briefly. She said he had a good record and asked whether a short suspension and a fine might be considered.

Mr Davidson replied that as Mr Stackhouse was an apprentice, he did not believe a fine was appropriate.

REASONS:

We have viewed the two video angles and are satisfied that Mr Stackhouse has allowed his mount to shift out about one horse width when not clear of Mr Bothamley. We view the breach as being at the bottom end of the scale. We accept Ms Gerard’s submission that Mr Walters had earlier shifted in slightly, which has also caused difficulties for Mr Bothamley.

Mr Stackhouse has a good record considering the number of rides he has had this season. He is a busy national rider. He has rides at Waikato on Wednesday, and has asked for any suspension to commence after that time.

We believe, having regard to his good record and the fact that Mr Stackhouse has readily and openly admitted the breach, and that the breach is low end, that a 3 day suspension is sufficient to hold him accountable, especially as this will include the meeting at Ashburton where he would be likely to have a full book of rides.

DECISION:

Mr Stackhouse is suspended from the end of racing on 7 July up to and including Sunday 11 July. This is 3 national riding days.

G Hall                                      D Steel

Chairman                                Committee Member

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