Wairio TC - 17 October 2010 - R 1

RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION

Informant:  Mr. C.J.Allison (Stipendiary Steward)

Defendant:  Mr. M. J. Williamson (Driver of Zing)

Information No:  68851

Meeting:  Wairio Trotting Club

Date:  17 October 2010

Venue:  Central Southland Raceway

Race:  1

Rule No:  869 (3) (b)

Judicial Committee: Mr. A .G. Dennis, Chairman – Mr .N. Skelt, Committee Member

Plea:  Not Admitted

Also Present: Mr. Paul Knowles (Stipendiary Steward), Mr. C .Buchan (Driver of Hozatfora Sundon), Mr.N.Williamson (Snr. Driver) Representing Mr.M. Williamson.

CHARGES:

At the conclusion of Race 1, the Winton Workouts Committee Mobile Trot, an information 68851 was lodged by Stipendiary Steward Mr. C .J. Allison under Rule 869(3)(b) alleging that M. J. Williamson, the driver of Zing shifted ground outwards when insufficiently clear of Hozatfora Sundon (C. Buchan) causing Hozatfora Sundon to break.

The rule reads 869 (3)(b) No horseman in any race shall drive:- (b) carelessly.

FACTS/SUBMISSIONS:

Stipendiary Steward Mr C.J.Allison showed the Committee several video clips of the alleged incident showing Mr M. Williamson in the trailing position, Mr C. Buchan driving outside that horse and Mr. Barclay progressing three wide driving (Brawlinwiththeboyz). Mr Allison maintained that Mr. N. Williamson then moved outwards causing tightening to Mr. Buchan, resulting in Mr. Buchan’s horse to break.

Mr. Buchan gave evidence confirming Mr. Allison’s observation and added that he had in fact called out twice to Mr. M. Williamson that there was a horse outside him (3 Wide) , implying that there was no room.

When questioned, Mr Buchan stated that he felt that the outward movement by Mr. M. Williamson had definitely caused his horse to break, and that contact had been made. He also felt that his horse was not going well enough to fill a placing, and that his horse did not in any way contribute to the incident.

Mr. P. Knowles, Stipendiary Steward, commented that from his vantage point, he saw Mr. M. Williamson shifting outwards causing tightening, possibly contacting a disc/wheel. That Mr. Williamson had committed himself when he shouldn’t have because there was a three –wide horse ahead of both.

Mr. M. Williamson gave evidence that he felt that he did not strike a wheel, that he did hear Mr. Buchan call out, but that he felt that pushing out was O.K. and that the three wide horse came very quickly. Mr N. Williamson supported this view stating that in his opinion there was sufficient space to move outwards, that the leading horse was ½ cart out from the rails and had contributed to the situation.  He also stated that Mr. Buchan’s horse was travelling roughly and under severe pressure anyway. He finished by stating that he felt that Mr. Barclay was wide enough to leave space for the outward movement.

Mr. Allison summed up by stating that it was the opinion of the Stipendiary Stewards that the incident was caused by the outward movement, made when Mr. M. Williamson , driving Zing, caused “Hozatfora Sundon “ to break.

DECISION:

After taking into account all the evidence presented, the Committee was satisfied that interference did indeed take place and the charge is upheld. The committee felt that Mr. M. Williamson had shifted ground outwards when insufficiently clear of Hozatfora Sundon causing that horse to break.

SUBMISSION(s) ON PENALTY:

Mr. Allison stated that Mr. M. Williamson had had no previous charges under rule 869(3)(b) over the past 12 months. Mr. Allison submitted that he felt that this incident was at the lower end of the scale.

PENALTY:

The Committee, after adjourning, considered that a fine of $250 was appropriate in this instance. The Committee also reminded Mr. M. Williamson of his duties as a horseman.