Waikato BOP H 5 July 2024 – R5 – Zev Meredith
ID: RIB44198
Animal Name:
MAJOR MAJOR
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
05/07/2024
Race Club:
Waikato BOP Harness Racing Inc
Race Location:
Cambridge Raceway - 1 Taylor Street, Cambridge, 3434
Race Number:
R5
Hearing Date:
05/07/2024
Hearing Location:
Cambridge Raceway
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Junior Driver Zev Meredith is fined $300
Summary of Facts:
Following the running of Race 5, the Respondent Zev Meredith admitted a breach of Whip Rule 869(2). The particulars of the charge are that he used his whip in more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.
Rule 869 provides that:
(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.
Stipendiary Steward S Mulcay used available video footage to demonstrate the breach. He said that MAJOR MAJOR entered the straight in a 3 wide position and Mr Meredith used his whip twice engaging the elbow and then one further time, before 2 compliant strikes.
In response, Mr Meredith advised the Adjudicative Committee that he considered the strikes to be at the low end.
Decision:
The charge is admitted and therefore proved.
Submissions for Penalty:
Mr Mulcay produced Mr Meredith’s record, which was clear. He said that Mr Meredith had received a warning on the 31st of May, hence the reason for the charge this evening.
Mr Mulcay said that Stewards assessed the breach to be low level and submitted that it be dealt with by way of a fine.
The Respondent submitted that he would prefer a fine and agreed with Mr Mulcay’s submissions.
Reasons for Penalty:
After consideration of the evidence from all parties concerned and viewing the race films of the concluding stages of the race, the Adjudicative Committee assessed the breach as falling just below the mid range, so assessed it as low level.
A low-level breach is defined as when a driver inadvertently reverts to the old style (freehand, loose reining and or more than a flicking motion) but promptly takes corrective action to return to a compliant style.
A Low-level Penalty starting point is $300.
Having considered the circumstances of the breach, the Adjudicative Committee sees no reason to deviate from the Guidelines and imposes a fine of $300.
Conclusion:
Z Meredith is fined $300.
Decision Date: 05/07/2024
Publish Date: 08/07/2024