A "new" RIB Charge - Duelling! What a nonsense!

[Chief Stipe]

Non Raceday Inquiry – Written Decision dated 6 March 2022 – Tim Williams

ID: RIB7846

Respondent(s):
Tim Williams - Driver

Applicant:
Mr V Munro - Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Dave Anderson

Persons Present:
Mr N McIntyre and Mr P Williams - RIB Stewards and Mr T Williams

Information Number:
A16749

Decision Type:
Adjudicative Decision

Charge:
Race Duelling.

Rule(s):
869(3)(g) - Diminishing chances

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
SHOW ME HEAVEN

Race Number:
R7

Hearing Date:
06/03/2022

Hearing Location:
Mt Harding Racecourse, Methven.

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Driver Tim Williams is suspended for 5 days and fined $350.

BACKGROUND:

Mr Williams admitted a charge from the Invercargill Harness Racing Club’s meeting on the 25 February 2022 in that as the Driver of SHOW ME HEAVEN in Race 7 he drove in a manner capable of diminishing his horse’s chances of winning by persisting with holding the lead when challenged by MABALENE in the middle stages. The Information was heard at the Hororata Trotting Club’s meeting held at the Mt Harding Racecourse, Methven on 6th March 2022. Mr McIntyre produced an Authority to Charge signed by Mike Clement, Chief Executive of the Racing Integrity Board.

The Respondent had endorsed the Information admitting the breach of the Rule and confirmed he understood the charge and he was conversant with the Rule.

Rule 869(3)(g) provides:

No driver in any race shall drive in any manner capable diminishing the chances of his horse winning.

SUMMARY OF FACTS:

Below are the relevant facts in respect of the breach.

(1) Mr Williams was the driver of SHOW ME HEAVEN in Race 7 at the Invercargill HRC meeting on 25th February 2022.

(2) SHOW ME HEAVEN drew 3 for the 1700 mobile start event.

(3) Mr Williams has urged his runner forward out of the gate and took the lead shortly after the start point.

(4) At the 1400 metre mark MABALENE (B Williamson) comes alongside the leader SHOW ME HEAVEN and is urged to try to take the lead.

(5) From this point Mr Williamson has become active in urging MABALENE to try and assume the lead.

(6) Mr Williams has sat there until approaching the winning post near the 1000 metre mark where he taps his drive up just as Mr Williamson has his horse forward of Mr Williams’s charge but not far enough for his sulky to move down to the marker line.

(7) Mr Williamson has then continued to urge his horse for another 200 metres until he desisted with the challenge which had been for approximately 600 metres.

(8) At no stage has Mr Williams attempted to restrain his horse and take a trail during this period when the opportunity existed for a considerable distance.

(9) Mr Williams’s horse has battled over the final stages and ended in 7th place 6.7 lengths from the winning horse.

(10) The official time shows that the initial 900 metres which was timed in an extremely fast 61.23 seconds. The final 800 metres was 59.76 seconds , with an overall time being 2.00.99, being a mile rate of 1.54.51, a new track record.

(11) Mr Williams had options available to him , which was to restrain his horse to take cover in order to give his runner some respite, to finish the race off in the best way possible which he failed to do so.

(12) Mr Williams’s drive on this occasion is well below the standard expected of a driver with his experience.

EVIDENCE:

Mr McIntyre and Mr Williams were both satisfied with the Summary of Facts prepared by the Applicant. Mr McIntyre stated the Stewards had nothing to add in the way of evidence and they were not requiring to show any replays of the race. Mr McIntyre stated Mr Williamson’s case was heard on Friday and as a result he received an 8 day suspension.

Mr Williams was delighted he didn’t have to sit through any replays of the race again. He stated his plan for the race was to lead because his horse had won all its races in front. He said he indicated to Mr Williamson early on he was going to hold the front and as Mr Williamson was challenging he saw that the favourite was on Mr Williamson’s back. He said he thought if he eased and let the front go Mr Williamson would have let the favourite go which would have him placed 3 back which he considered was not giving his horse the best opportunity. He said MABALENE had raced poorly in its 2 previous starts and appeared to be flat compared to his horse which was travelling kindly.

The Adjudicative Committee asked Mr McIntyre, was the culpability of the incident shared equally between Mr Williamson and Mr Williams. He said both Drivers have to make decisions as circumstances are presented during the race whether you are outside the leader or on the rail and in this case the Stewards’ opinion was that both Drivers were equally culpable.

DECISION:

The charge is admitted and therefore proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr McIntyre outlined Mr Williams’ driving record which showed he is one of the country’s leading and experienced Drivers. He said the Penalty Guidelines have a starting point for a breach of this Rule of a 40 drive suspension or a $2000 fine. He said a suspension of 6 days is recommended  and the Stewards realise this would differ from Mr Williamson’s penalty as it was based on Mr Williamson driving an average of approximately 4 times a meeting as against Mr Williams averaging approximately 6 drives per meeting.

Mr Williams stated in 15 years as a license holder he has a clear record under the Rule. He said he wasn’t looking for any deferment in respect of suspension and that a fine or a combination of both would be preferable.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Adjudicative Committee in its assessment of the race, found that up until the two horses reached the winning post with a lap to run, the challenge from Mr Williamson and the rejection of it by Mr Williams was within the Rules. From this point on either ego or testosterone or perhaps just bloody mindedness reared it’s head. Race tracks are a very competitive place and theses incidents happen from time to time but they have a detrimental effect on Harness Racing. Mr Williams’ drive impacted the Owners, Trainers and more importantly the betting public and is deserving of a significant sanction.

The Penalty Guidelines provide a 40 drive suspension or a $2000 fine as a starting point for a breach of the Rule.

Mr Williams has a clear record under the Rule, admitted the breach and has freely accepted, with genuine remorse, that he was guilty of poor judgment.

In assessing a concession for these factors it is helpful this Adjudicative Committee has the Williamson decision to reference. The Adjudicative Committee in that case applied a starting point of a 10 day suspension based on Mr Williamson’s average drives per meeting and allowed a 2 day discount for the very similar factors in this case.

The Adjudicative Committee has arrived at a starting point of a 7 day suspension in Mr Williams’ circumstances based on his average drives per meeting. It finds a discount of 2 days, for the mitigating factors, to be too lenient on Mr Williams and at the same time considers a 1 day discount to be too harsh. Although this Adjudicative Committee is mindful the two cases have to be judged separately it is common sense to appreciate they are entwined and any sanction must conclude in close proximity with the other.

CONCLUSION:

The Respondent is suspended for a period of 5 days commencing 9 March 2022 and concluding 16 March 2022. In addition to this suspension the Respondent is fined $350.

 

[Chief Stipe]

Yet another case where the Driver charged admits guilt rather than get hammered by a bigger penalty.

[Chief Stipe]

1 minute ago, Chief Stipe said:

The Adjudicative Committee in its assessment of the race, found that up until the two horses reached the winning post with a lap to run, the challenge from Mr Williamson and the rejection of it by Mr Williams was within the Rules. From this point on either ego or testosterone or perhaps just bloody mindedness reared it’s head. Race tracks are a very competitive place and theses incidents happen from time to time but they have a detrimental effect on Harness Racing. Mr Williams’ drive impacted the Owners, Trainers and more importantly the betting public and is deserving of a significant sanction.

An absolute load of bollocks!  Should words like this be in a judicial decision?  Are they going to test Drivers for testosterone levels in the future?

[Doomed]

Interesting case. I have some sympathy for Williams as the other chap went crazy outside him. Surely it sets a dangerous precedent if the leader must hand over if the parked horse shows intent. Just imagine telling Aussie drivers that they must hand over if the parked horse wants the lead.

The parked horse eventually beat the other one home as well.

Interesting too, that suspensions are determined on the number of drives rather than days.

[CosmicBlacki]

Might as well race in lanes all the way then. What bollocks.

Its called racing for a reason, accept the challenge or you don’t.

HRNZ don’t help themselves with pathetic decisions such as this. Least these two boys were having a go. Start looking back in the field for the ones that aren’t.

[Chief Stipe]

3 minutes ago, CosmicBlacki said:

HRNZ don’t help themselves with pathetic decisions such as this.

Nothing to do with HRNZ - it is the RIB that are now the one stop for rules enforcement.  HRNZ could make the rules tighter or more black and white which would limit the RIB's scope in getting imaginative.

[Brodie]

“No driver in any race shall drive in any manner capable diminishing the chances of his horse winning”

 

Firstly, does this not include FEMALE DRIVERS????

Secondly, it is a load of BS, you could go to most races and you will see drivers that drive their horse incompetently and diminishing their horses winning chances!!!!!

 

[eljay]

Yes Chief Stipe - too many rules left to make own interpretation.     That case (Williams/Williamson) a classic.    I'm sure an appeal would result in a different (amended) decision. 

I remember one of my horses was disqualified for "causing" another horse to fall.    The (fallen) horse went for a gap that didn't exist, ran out of room and fell.     We were blamed.    We spoke to a senior horseman who said a horse fell so the authorities had to blame someone regardless of circumstances and they wouldnt blame the fallen horse.    So an appeal was senseless, their minds were already made up.        We lost the win - but the horse that fell never raced again.    In those days the passing lane narrowed before the post at Alexandra Park - it was subsequently widened!     

[Ludwig]

At least the pair of them gave  some excitement, unlike the endless two by two racing in a funeral procession.

[CosmicBlacki]

2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Nothing to do with HRNZ - it is the RIB that are now the one stop for rules enforcement.  HRNZ could make the rules tighter or more black and white which would limit the RIB's scope in getting imaginative.

Exactly my point Chief, HRNZ as the controlling body set the rules. Don’t we want to make racing more exciting?

[Gammalite]

Agree with all said here. Whats wrong with a bit of a challenge.? Pure Steel and Gammalite and others were up the leader for the rent 2 laps out at times. made for good exciting racing.

Brad and Tim got their wires crossed, so 'both horses'  chances were diminished in the race out-lined . (It takes 2 to Tango)

Last Sunday John Dunn , a first class driver like Tim and Brad ,wasn't gunna hand up the lead on a heavily backed runner THE HORNET in race 8 , no matter what. Wouldn't take a trail on the favourite CARANA (John Hay) when heavily challenged. Carana won still (as very game horse) and John ran no-where with The Hornet ??? 

same as Tim Williams in this case then ?  in my book ................   both wouldn't accept a trail ?, even though it was an 'ability' horse take them on. Chances of win diminished ..

 

[CosmicBlacki]

6 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

Agree with all said here. Whats wrong with a bit of a challenge.? Pure Steel and Gammalite and others were up the leader for the rent 2 laps out at times. made for good exciting racing.

Brad and Tim got their wires crossed, so 'both horses'  chances were diminished in the race out-lined . (It takes 2 to Tango)

Last Sunday John Dunn , a first class driver like Tim and Brad ,wasn't gunna hand up the lead on a heavily backed runner THE HORNET in race 8 , no matter what. Wouldn't take a trail on the favourite CARANA (John Hay) when heavily challenged. Carana won still (as very game horse) and John ran no-where with The Hornet ??? 

same as Tim Williams in this case then ?  in my book ................   both wouldn't accept a trail ?, even though it was an 'ability' horse take them on. Chances of win diminished ..

 

Racing is all hindsight anyway, could’ve, should’ve, would’ve, sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t, that’s life. It’s what’s wrong with a lot of the PC brigade nowadays, want everything to be perfect and want to blame someone.

[Rangatira]

[Ludwig]

32 minutes ago, Rangatira said:

Which one's Tim Williams, and which is Bradley?

[Brodie]

What is worse is when you sort out a certain place getter and it does not place!!!!!

They run the race so slow and the driver just sits to the straight and gives it no show!

Is that not driving your horse to not give it every chance of winning?

[Rangatira]

45 minutes ago, Brodie said:

What is worse is when you sort out a certain place getter and it does not place!!!!!

They run the race so slow and the driver just sits to the straight and gives it no show!

Is that not driving your horse to not give it every chance of winning?

Where was the horse in the running?

[Rangatira]

1 hour ago, Ludwig said:

Which one's Tim Williams, and which is Bradley?

My bestie Peter jnr said he purchased his banjo from the only "Bango's are Us" store in the Southern Hemisphere in Oamaru.

So I am thinking that's Tim on the guitar.

[Ludwig]

23 minutes ago, Rangatira said:

My bestie Peter jnr said he purchased his banjo from the only "Bango's are Us" store in the Southern Hemisphere in Oamaru.

So I am thinking that's Tim on the guitar.

I know the store well. It's the focal point of Oamaru's night life.

[Rangatira]

1 minute ago, Ludwig said:

I know the store well. It's the focal point of Oamaru's night life.

Darn Tootin

Edited March 23, 2022 by Rangatira

[Gammalite]

1 hour ago, Rangatira said:

Darn Tootin

Has the Karaoke machine ?

[Gammalite]

Brodster is known for duelling with the TAB as well. Wonder if he has sharpened his sword yet ?

Brodie would be right into duelling if he was a race driver too, unable to work out those mile races for starters, seems he might 'take off' / or 'go off' a bit too early ?

[Rangatira]

11 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

Brodster is known for duelling with the TAB as well. Wonder if he has sharpened his sword yet ?

Sure has

[Brodie]

9 hours ago, Gammalite said:

Brodster is known for duelling with the TAB as well. Wonder if he has sharpened his sword yet ?

Brodie would be right into duelling if he was a race driver too, unable to work out those mile races for starters, seems he might 'take off' / or 'go off' a bit too early ?

Luv the challenge, but no never go off early Gamma!

[Forbury]

I cannot say this enough.its a broken record.vinnie Munro something must be done against him legally.hes involved in all the B.S.time and time again.hes in the double figures now.hr makes me very angry over his poor or kurupt decisions.are you sure he doesn't have a cognitive impairments.otherwise he's totally kurupt.