Riccarton Park – Amberley 9 March 2023 – R6 – Lily Sutherland

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 6, Speight’s Summit Ultra on Tap Maiden, the Respondent, Apprentice Jockey, Lily Sutherland, admitted a charge that, as the Rider of SASSY CHOUXS in the race, she struck her mount 6 times prior to the 100 metres.

Rule 638(3) provides:

(g)     Subject to the other requirements this Rule 638(3), in a Flat Race or trial (including jump-outs and/or tests for certification purposes), a Rider must not:

 (i)   strike a horse with a whip more than 5 times prior to the 100-metre mark (other than in a slapping motion down the shoulder with the whip hand remaining on the reins.

The Respondent was assisted at the hearing by Apprentice Jockey Mentor, David Walsh.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson, showed a video replay of the final 300 metres of the race. He pointed out SASSY CHOUXS, ridden by the Respondent, beyond midfield and the widest runner on the track as the field turned into the final straight. He pointed out that she commenced using her whip shortly thereafter and used it on a total of 6 occasions in the run to the 100 metres, finishing in 2nd placing.

The Respondent accepted the count of 6 strikes, alleged by Mr Davidson, but did not wish to comment.

DECISION:

The charge is admitted and is therefore deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Davidson said that the Respondent has three previous breaches of the Whip Rule on her record – on 15 October 2022 at Hawkes Bay (6 days for 7 strikes), on 9 November 2022 at Riccarton (8 days for 7 strikes ) and on 19 November 2022 at Rangitikei (10 days for 7 strikes, won the race and poor record). The most recent of those was almost 4 months ago, Mr Davidson said. The suggested penalty under the Penalty Guide is a $500 fine plus 2 national riding days. There were no aggravating factors, he said.

The Respondent said that she has riding engagements at Wellington RC on 11 March. Any suspension can start after that. It was established that she was not riding at Gore on 12 March.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Adjudicative Committee noted the RIB Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide (February 2023) starting point of a $500 fine and a 2-days suspension. While the Gore RC meeting on 12 March is to be included in any calculation of a suspension period, it is noted that Riders have been declared for that meeting and, the Adjudicative Committee was told, the Respondent has no rides. The next meeting is at Matamata at which the Respondent does not normally ride. To make a suspension meaningful in this case, it needs to be one of 3 days. The Respondent would be likely to have ridden at Ashburton on 16 March, which will be the 3rd day of a 3-days suspension.

CONCLUSION:

The Respondent, Apprentice Jockey Lily Sutherland, is suspended from after racing on 11 March 2023 up to and including 16 March 2023 – 3 national riding days.

In addition, the Respondent is fined the sum of $500.