A Tim Williams Drive: Another RIB Nonsense

[Chief Stipe]

Non Raceday Inquiry - Written Decision dated 21 November 2022 - Tim Williams

racingintegrityboard.org.nz

BACKGROUND:

 

Chief Stipendiary Steward, Nigel McIntyre, has filed an Information alleging that, in Race 13, Spectators New Menu Mobile Pace, at the meeting of New Zealand Metropolitan TC at Addington Raceway on 11 November 2022, the Respondent Driver, Tim Williams, as the Driver of FERNLEIGH CASH in the race, failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures near the 400 metres when electing not to shift outwards prior to being covered by STEEL THE SHOW, when it was reasonable and permissible for him to do so.

 

Mr McIntyre produced an Authority to Charge signed by Mr Mike Clement, Chief Executive of the Racing Integrity Board.

 

The charge was heard at the meeting of Rangiora HRC at Rangiora Raceway on 16 November. The Respondent was offered the opportunity by the Adjudicative Committee to have the hearing adjourned but he declined.

 

The Respondent endorsed the Information “I do not admit a breach of the Rule” and confirmed he understood the Rule and the nature of the charge.

 

Rule 868 provides:

 

(2) Every driver shall take all reasonable and permissible measures at all times during the race to ensure that his horse is given full opportunity to win the race or to obtain the best possible position and/or finishing place.

 

EVIDENCE:

 

Chief Stipendiary Steward, Nigel McIntyre, showed video replays from all available angles of the relevant part of the race, passing the 400 metres. He pointed out FERNLEIGH CASH, driven by the Respondent, passing the 600 metres racing in the one-one position behind DASHING MAJOR (John Dunn). It was evident that the Respondent had turned his whip round and flicked his runner, Mr McIntyre said. As the field got to the 500 metres, it appeared that the Respondent’s runner was back on the bit. At that stage it was both reasonable and permissible for the Respondent to shift ground outwards to put his horse into clear racing room, prior to being covered by the improving STEEL THE SHOW. The Respondent elected not to do so and thereafter had been held up until approximately 60 metres from the finishing line, Mr McIntyre alleged, and had made ground on the runners in front. The Respondent had left it too late and, as a result, has been blocked for a run. It was not a split-second decision but, rather, the Respondent had an opportunity over a distance of 100-150 metres to shift out into a clear run, Mr McIntyre submitted.

 

The Respondent asked for a replay of the race from the 1400 metres. He pointed out that when he improved to go 3-wide, his horse had lugged in. When he reached the parked position and then got cover, his horse was caught flat-footed, and he lost his trail before activating the ears plugs to get the horse back on the bit and turned his whip, he said. The horse was still “aggressive” on the outside rein. He saw STEEL THE SHOW coming and had plenty of opportunity to come out, but could not do so because of the way the horse was “holding” the rein and lugging and making it an awkward drive, he said. STEEL THE SHOW had improved quickly and, as he was covered, his horse had attempted to race it. He had got outside the wheel of DASHING MAJOR and, had his horse been going good enough, the gap was there. He was unable to improve into that gap. He left it late to come out because of “steering issues”. STEEL THE SHOW had got past him and he had got onto its back. His horse’s head was turned in because it was hanging in, he said. He had no reason not to come out, he said.

 

In the straight, he had the opportunity to ease the eventual winner, CYRUS, wider on the track, had his runner been steering well enough, he said. He submitted that it was not too late to ease out at that stage, 200 metres from the finish. He had been fighting with his horse for some distance, he said. His horse was not steering well enough to enable him to ease CYRUS out. Mr McIntyre said that he did not disagree that the Respondent was having difficulty coming out at that stage. When he stopped fighting with the horse and took an inside run, it had become an “easier steer” for him, and the horse had run on quite well as the placegetters were coming back to him.

 

Mr McIntyre agreed with the Respondent that there was a point near the 400 metres when the Respondent did attempt to come out, but submitted that it was too late and the run had gone.

 

DECISION:

 

The charge was dismissed.

 

REASONS FOR DECISION:

 

On a viewing of the video replays, it appeared that the Respondent had an opportunity to shift his runner out near the 400 metres as alleged. It also appeared that it was both reasonable and permissible for him to do so. The Stewards have charged the Respondent on that basis.

 

The standard of proof to establish a charge under the Rules of Harness Racing is on a balance of probabilities. However, it is well-established that the more serious the charge, the higher is the standard of proof. A charge under Rule 868(2) is a serious charge because of the penalty provisions that apply when a breach is proved – a 20 drives suspension or a $1,000 fine. The Adjudicative Committee needs to be comfortably satisfied.

 

The Respondent’s defence to the charge was that, during the part of the race out of which the charge arose, he had in fact attempted to shift out ahead of the advancing STEEL THE SHOW. He accepted that it was reasonable and permissible for him to attempt to shift out at that point and he had attempted to do so. He had no reason not to do so, he said. However, he told the Adjudicative Committee, his horse was “holding the rein” and hanging in, proving a difficult drive. He had got part of the way out but the horse would not go further, he said.

 

The Adjudicative Committee finds that it was not unreasonable for the Respondent to delay shifting out until STEEL THE SHOW commenced his run but, when he made the decision to shift out, his horse did not respond sufficiently quickly. The Adjudicative Committee finds that there was no error of judgement on the Respondent’s part and it is necessary for the Stewards to establish an error that is capable of being described as “culpable” or blameworthy”.

 

There was some evidence that the Respondent’s horse had been hanging. The Respondent had the video replay of the race from about the 1400 metres to the 400 metres played to the hearing which lent support to that. He then showed a video replay of part of the run home, during which he had the opportunity to ease out the eventual winner, CYRUS, with approximately 200 metres to run, and he could be seen to attempt to ease out with some vigour, but again the horse was reluctant to respond, forcing him to take an inside run. Mr McIntyre did not disagree with this.

 

The Adjudicative Committee found the Respondent’s explanation to be credible. Furthermore, that Adjudicative Committee was not satisfied that there had been any clear evidence presented that he had made no attempt to shift out. The burden of proof is on the Stewards to prove this.

 

The charge was properly brought by the Stewards, but the Adjudicative Committee was not satisfied to the required standard that the charge has been proved.

[LongOwner]

23 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

prove this.

The charge was properly brought by the Stewards, but the Adjudicative Committee was not satisfied to the required standard that the charge has been proved.

Decision Date: 16/11/2022

Publish Date: 22/11/2022

Failed junior drivers confirm their lack of horse and driving knowledge 

[hunterthepunter]

4 minutes ago, LongOwner said:

Failed junior drivers confirm their lack of horse and driving knowledge 

motel cleaners

[Rangatira]

14 minutes ago, hunterthepunter said:

motel cleaners

clothing and wedding ring couriers for seedy co workers

[Chief Stipe]

What it does highlight is that Tim Williams knows his job and can articulate what happened very clearly.  I recall a similar case recently, debated at length on BOAY, where the driver didn't acquit himself so well in the hearing and got nailed.

Now of course the usual social media suspects are inferring that Williams got off because his father is on the RIB board!  Which is utter nonsense.

[Brodie]

12 hours ago, LongOwner said:

Failed junior drivers confirm their lack of horse and driving knowledge 

Lol it aint going to get  any better if you look at the new ones coming thru😩

Edited November 23, 2022 by Brodie

[Gammalite]

12 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

What it does highlight is that Tim Williams knows his job and can articulate what happened very clearly. 

That was a long day Chief !!! November 11th. ......and Tim had just driven to Team instructions in Race 12 the NZ FFA the race before this drive on Fernleigh Cash in race 13..... and it all went pear-shaped. IMO he gave his horse less chance of winning that race by 'trying' to look after a stable-mate, than he did with Fernleigh Cash in the last race.....

Alta Wiseguy eventually running a long last , after being driven out of gate 'Hard' by Tim, to set up for BD Joe (his more accomplished stable-mate).  Natalie drove very well early on in race Spankem and shoved BD Joe back in (who was trying to get out early from behind Tim on the leader )  , who would of DEFINITELY let BD Joe lead that Nz FFA  . BD JOE carted back and hard held at finish lol.... was a race of Great Tactics. and thrilling finish !! just like the following race 13 too !!!!!!!

And the Grand-MASTER Won both of them !! Mark Purdon!! , coming from a mile back in both races with sensational drives on Self Assured and Cyrus !! Boysgetpaid happy too lol 😆💰

If you want to see to great races of driving ,

watch those 2 races again !!!  races 12 and 13 Nov 11th. magical !! (bad luck to the Aussie too pipped very late, commentator called dead-heat he was that close )  

 

[Blackie]

Mark P ❤️.

Nothing like the threat of a good slapping to bring someone right.

Edited November 23, 2022 by Blackie

[LongOwner]

19 hours ago, Gammalite said:

That was a long day Chief !!! November 11th. ......and Tim had just driven to Team instructions in Race 12 the NZ FFA the race before this drive on Fernleigh Cash in race 13..... and it all went pear-shaped. IMO he gave his horse less chance of winning that race by 'trying' to look after a stable-mate, than he did with Fernleigh Cash in the last race.....

Alta Wiseguy eventually running a long last , after being driven out of gate 'Hard' by Tim, to set up for BD Joe (his more accomplished stable-mate).  Natalie drove very well early on in race Spankem and shoved BD Joe back in (who was trying to get out early from behind Tim on the leader )  , who would of DEFINITELY let BD Joe lead that Nz FFA  . BD JOE carted back and hard held at finish lol.... was a race of Great Tactics. and thrilling finish !! just like the following race 13 too !!!!!!!

And the Grand-MASTER Won both of them !! Mark Purdon!! , coming from a mile back in both races with sensational drives on Self Assured and Cyrus !! Boysgetpaid happy too lol 😆💰

If you want to see to great races of driving ,

watch those 2 races again !!!  races 12 and 13 Nov 11th. magical !! (bad luck to the Aussie too pipped very late, commentator called dead-heat he was that close )  

 

Mr perfect are we Gammalite - you love having a dig at anyone not in your favourite pile and who tell the RIB to take a jump .

Your reading of races is good as the stipes - very average . 

[Gammalite]

2 hours ago, LongOwner said:

Mr perfect are we Gammalite - you love having a dig at anyone not in your favourite pile and who tell the RIB to take a jump .

Your reading of races is good as the stipes - very average .

I'm the least likely on here to dig at drivers matey . my posts are nearly Always in Admiration of them. 

The NZ FFA was Full of great drives from a few drivers , I RECOMMENDED it for you guys to go back and have a Look. Tim Williams was driving to instruction and they came 'UnStuck' with BD Joe by attempting a failed 'team effort' . Plain as Day ..whats your opinion on it Mr Imperfect LOWner ? take it you must be connected to the Telfer barn to get your knickers in a knot. 

Who are YOU to judge my performance ? I read races quite well having been in a few hundred of them , and was asked to be a stipe at one stage. But hated the stable raids part of the job. Stipes are there to read every race whether You like it or Not. People doing their jobs. Not spose to be popular. they operate for SAFETY and FAIRNESS to all competitors. 

GOLDEN RULE 1. Always blame the horse , not yourself or any other driver when in the stipes room after an 'incident' of any kind . chew on that one . 

[hunterthepunter]

23 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

I'm the least likely on here to dig at drivers matey . my posts are nearly Always in Admiration of them. 

The NZ FFA was Full of great drives from a few drivers , I RECOMMENDED it for you guys to go back and have a Look. Tim Williams was driving to instruction and they came 'UnStuck' with BD Joe by attempting a failed 'team effort' . Plain as Day ..whats your opinion on it Mr Imperfect LOWner ? take it you must be connected to the Telfer barn to get your knickers in a knot. 

Who are YOU to judge my performance ? I read races quite well having been in a few hundred of them , and was asked to be a stipe at one stage. But hated the stable raids part of the job. Stipes are there to read every race whether You like it or Not. People doing their jobs. Not spose to be popular. they operate for SAFETY and FAIRNESS to all competitors. 

GOLDEN RULE 1. Always blame the horse , not yourself or any other driver when in the stipes room after an 'incident' of any kind . chew on that one . 

you bag all ex Allstar drivers .Tims great guy 

[Gammalite]

1 hour ago, hunterthepunter said:

you bag all ex Allstar drivers .Tims great guy 

Not really . I was first on here to say how cool it was to see Sam Ottley in the Allstar colours and winning recently. Labelled Blair Orange home for all money on A BETTER YOU the other day. along with the john Dunn winner for a 20-1 double. what more do you want ?

The amount of 'BAGGING' that goes on , on this site about everyfuckenthing and you and Lowner want to criticise me who has given nothing but SUpport to nz harness racing and drivers ??? lol ?

I Backed BEACH BALL (driven by Williams) amongst the 6 out of 6 on Show day that i backed so have NOTHING against Tim .(Natalie was 2nd in that race and I let her go)  In fact in this lead article , I say he did the right thing and 'Blamed the horse'. Fernleigh Cash for the difficult 'charge' he faced. I thought he drove it pretty well . What did you think ????

 Think they 'Blamed the horse' for Alta Wiseguy failure as well in the Nz FFA. *Golden rule 1 standard as per usual. nothing to worry about.  failed team effort . all good . I backed Self Assured to beat the Aussies lol.......

was laughing my tits off watching DARLING ME's race team tactics (Tim won that too bless him !)

 

[Blossom lady]

21 hours ago, Gammalite said:

Not really . I was first on here to say how cool it was to see Sam Ottley in the Allstar colours and winning recently. Labelled Blair Orange home for all money on A BETTER YOU the other day. along with the john Dunn winner for a 20-1 double. what more do you want ?

The amount of 'BAGGING' that goes on , on this site about everyfuckenthing and you and Lowner want to criticise me who has given nothing but SUpport to nz harness racing and drivers ??? lol ?

I Backed BEACH BALL (driven by Williams) amongst the 6 out of 6 on Show day that i backed so have NOTHING against Tim .(Natalie was 2nd in that race and I let her go)  In fact in this lead article , I say he did the right thing and 'Blamed the horse'. Fernleigh Cash for the difficult 'charge' he faced. I thought he drove it pretty well . What did you think ????

 Think they 'Blamed the horse' for Alta Wiseguy failure as well in the Nz FFA. *Golden rule 1 standard as per usual. nothing to worry about.  failed team effort . all good . I backed Self Assured to beat the Aussies lol.......

was laughing my tits off watching DARLING ME's race team tactics (Tim won that too bless him !)

 

Don't worry about Martin . He's still bitter and twisted as his trainers were deep in Inca. He gets a bit Wild ( or is it newtons) whenever the the rib are involved