Matthew Williamson
The person who threw a ballpoint pen into the field of
horses nearing the finish of the $1 million New Zealand
Trotting Cup at Addington in November has been disqualified for
two years and ordered to pay $350 costs after a judicial
inquiry.
The person, a male, was charged by Harness Racing New Zealand
over an action deemed to be detrimental to the interests of
harness racing.
It was heard by the Judicial Control Authority for racing.
The defendant's employer had asked that neither his nor the
defendant's name be made public.
HRNZ did not object.
"Not naming the person was to protect his employer from any
adverse publicity.
"We also considered it was a stupid action on the part of the
person concerned," Edward Rennell, the general manager of
HRNZ, said.
Disqualification will prevent the person entering a
racecourse or undertaking any licensed activities.
Evidence was given at the hearing in Christchurch on March 4
that the person was in a corporate area on the inside of the
track about 40m from the finishing line.
Near the end of the race he was waving his arm and threw the
pen into the field of horses.
It landed about 12m from the pylons marking the inside of the
track and about 25m from the winning post.
Racecourse inspector Barry Kitto said had the pen struck a
horseman, horse or sulky, the effect could have been
profound.
The pen weighed 17g-18g.
The person was spoken to by a security guard and escorted
back to the corporate area. He contacted the authorities when
the matter received publicity and admitted the breach.
He said he was excited as the horses neared the finish.
"As they went past me I was basically jokingly making out I
had lost money on the race and foolishly drew a pen from my
pocket.
"I meant to pretend to throw the pen by raising my hand
behind my back in a throwing motion.
"I intended to drop the pen behind my back."
He said it was prank that went horribly wrong and an act of
drunken stupidity.
He said he had consumed approximately 10 330ml bottles of
lager during the day.
He described his condition as "merry but not intoxicated".
Russell McKenzie (chairman) and P. J. Rosanowski, who heard
the charge, accepted that alcohol was the likely explanation
of the behaviour.
"The committee finds part of the defendant's explanation to
be not entirely credible but there is nothing to suggest his
actions were deliberate or that he intended to inflict any
harm on any horse or horseman."
Trainer Phil Williamson has given way to his son, Matthew, as
the driver of Springfield Sam in the $85,000 Yearling Sales
Trot for 2yr-olds at Ashburton today.
Phil drove Springfield Sam to win at Addington last Tuesday
when the gelding was having his first start.
Matthew drove Diedre's Flash to win the Yearling Sales Trot
for the Williamson stable at Addington last May.
Matthew (19) became the youngest driver to win a Harness
Jewels race when he partnered Leighton Hest at Ashburton in
May as an 18-year-old.
Matthew's brother, Nathan, in his first season as a trainer,
has Latheronwheel and Lewis H in the Yearling Sales Trot.
He will drive the latter, a Sundon-Sound Of Chiola gelding.
Lewis H is a brother to Martina H, winner of the Dominion
Handicap and Rowe Cup, and Tony H (NZ Hambletonian and
Yearling Sales Trot for 3yr-olds).
Lewis H, a trial winner at Winton last Wednesday, is having
his first start.
He was a $55,000 buy at the premier yearling sale.
Latheronwheel, a half-brother by Continentalman to The Fiery
Ginga, has been placed in his two starts.
Paramount Gee, unbeaten on four starts, is well placed from
barrier two to lead throughout the mile.
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