A 24-year-old man accused of running in front of oncoming horses during Wellington Cup Day last weekend has been named.
Justin Bergman, from Lower Hutt, has been charged with criminal nuisance after he allegedly jumped the fence at Upper Hutt's Trentham Racecourse on Saturday. Bergman then stood in the middle of the track as speeding jockeys steered their horses to avoid him.
There were no injuries as a result of the incident.
He was subsequently arrested and charged with criminal nuisance for doing an unlawful act endangering public safety. He was released on bail.
The charge, acknowledging that Bergman's alleged actions endangered the safety of the riders, carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison.
After appearing in Hutt Valley District Court on Thursday morning, it was revealed the 24-year-old had abandoned his bid for name suppression.
Racing broadcaster Aidan Rodley dubbed the person behind the act "an idiot".
Bergman has been remanded on bail without plea until March 4. He must not be found near Trentham Racecourse, nor attend any racecourse in the country or contact any police witnesses.
