Riccarton Park – Riccarton Turf 4 May 2024 – R2 – Teddy Ladouceur

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 2, the Respondent, Class B Rider, Teddy Ladouceur admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of LA BELLA NERA “he allowed his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of BLUE VEIN who was crowded for a distance and firmly restrained for a distance passing the 1000m.  

The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach.

Mr Ladouceur was assisted at the hearing by NZTR Apprentice Mentor, Jason Laking.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

Using the available race films, Chief Stipendiary Steward John Oatham, with the assistance of Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. Mr Davidson pointed out Mr Ladouceur, riding LA BELLA NERA, racing 2 wide approaching the 1000m with BLUE VEIN, ridden by Denby-Rose Tait, racing on the rail to the inside of Mr Ladouceur. He showed that passing the 1000m, Mr Ladouceur looked to his inside and then began shifting inwards when not clear of BLUE VEIN and continued shifting across and crowding that horse for a period of approximately 100m. Mr Davidson stated that BLUE VEIN had to be firmly restrained, with Rider Denby-Rose Tait reporting to the Stewards that Mr Ladouceur was only 3/4 of a length in front of BLUE VEIN, when he was attempting to shift in.

Mr Laking, on behalf of the Respondent, stated that Mr Ladouceur was having his 4th race day ride in today’s event and was an inexperienced Rider. He added that Mr Ladouceur had made an error of judgement.

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham stated that Mr Ladouceur’s record in regard to this Rule was clear.  He said that Mr Ladouceur was having his 4th career ride in today’s race.

Mr Oatham said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the mid-range and submitted a starting point as per the Penalty Guide, of a 7 National Day suspension.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent elected to make no submissions apart from requesting that any suspension begin as soon as possible.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee agreed with the Stewards that the Respondent’s carelessness was in the mid range and accordingly, adopted a 7-day suspension as the starting point.

There were no aggravating factors identified, therefore no uplift in penalty was warranted.

There were however, mitigating factors to consider, being Mr Ladouceur’s inexperience, this being his 4th race day ride and his frank admission of the breach. A combined discount was afforded Mr Ladouceur, which was set at 1 day.

The Adjudicative Committee therefore determined that a 6 National Day suspension was an appropriate penalty in this case.

Conclusion:

Accordingly, the Respondent’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 National Days commencing after racing today, 4 May 2024, up to and including 12 May 2024.