Methven TC 1 November 2023 – R2 – John Versteeg
ID: RIB29274
Animal Name:
A Rockn To The Blues
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
01/11/2023
Race Club:
Methven Trotting Club
Race Location:
Methven Racecourse - 47 Mount Hutt Station Road, Methven, 7782
Race Number:
R2
Hearing Date:
01/11/2023
Hearing Location:
Mt Harding Racecourse, Methven
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Open Driver, John Versteeg, suspended 3 days.
BACKGROUND:
The Information alleges that in Race 2, Speight’s Fillies & Mares Mobile Pace, Open Driver, John Versteeg, committed a breach of Rule 869(2) and the Whip and Rein Regulations in that, as the Driver of A ROCKN TO THE BLUES in the race, he used his whip in more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.
Rule 869 provides:
(2) No driver shall during any race use a whip in a manner in contravention of the Use of the Whip Regulations made by the Board.
The Whip and Rein Regulations provide:
3.2 A driver may only apply the whip in a wrist only flicking motion whilst holding a rein in each hand with the tip of the whip pointed forward in an action which does not engage the shoulder.
The Respondent had endorsed the Statement by the Respondent on the Information form “I do admit a breach of the rule” and confirmed this at the hearing.
EVIDENCE:
Stipendiary Steward, Shane Renault, showed a video replay of the final 200-300 metres of the race. He pointed out A ROCKN TO THE BLUES, driven by the Respondent, racing three places back on the markers as the field turned into the final straight.
The Respondent took a run to the inside in the passing lane, and Mr Renault showed that the Respondent then proceeded to use his whip – on the first two occasions in a compliant flicking motion, and then three times in more than a wrist only flicking motion, with which the Stewards were concerned, Mr Renault said.
The Respondent did not wish to comment, other than to say that he agreed with Mr Renault’s version of events.
DECISION:
The breach having been admitted, it is deemed proved.
SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:
Mr Renault said that the Respondent has had 28 drives this season. He has a previous breach of the Whip Rules – on 10 September at Methven, suspended 2 days – 3 drives ago.
Mr Renault referred to the Penalty Guide which provides a starting point for a low-level (which this was, he said), second breach of a 3-days suspension. That was the submission of Stewards in this case, he said.
The Respondent did not seek a deferment of any suspension.
REASONS FOR PENALTY:
The Adjudicative Committee accepts the submission of Stewards that the breach is low-level – that is to say, “when a driver inadvertently reverts to the old style (freehand, loose-reining and/or more than a flicking motion) but promptly takes corrective steps to return to a compliant style”.
The Adjudicative Committee notes the previous breach on the Respondent’s record. The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide provides a starting point for a second, low-level breach of a 3-days suspension. The Adjudicative Committee sees no relevant factors, aggravating or mitigating, to warrant a departure from that starting point. (A ROCKN TO THE BLUES finished in 7th placing, 12 lengths from the winner).
CONCLUSION:
Open Driver, John Versteeg, is suspended from after the close of racing today, up to and including 14 November 2023 – 3 days.
It is recorded that the meeting of NZ Metropolitan TC on 3 November 2023 is not included in the period of suspension, as Drivers for the meeting have already been notified and the Respondent has no engagements.
Decision Date: 01/11/2023
Publish Date: 03/11/2023