Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 16 November 2024 – R10 – Samantha Wynne

ID: RIB48546

Respondent(s):
Samantha Louise Wynne - Jockey

Applicant:
John Oatham, Chief Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Russell McKenzie (Chair) and Stewart Ching

Information Number:
A20254

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Excessive Use of Whip Prior to 100 metres

Rule(s):
638(3)(g)(i) - Contravention whip rule

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
Lostcause

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
16/11/2024

Race Club:
Canterbury Jockey Club

Race Location:
Riccarton Park - 165 Racecourse Road, Christchurch,

Race Number:
R10

Hearing Date:
16/11/2024

Hearing Location:
Riccarton Park, Christchurch

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Class A Jockey, Samantha Wynne, suspended 10 days

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 10, Martin Collins 161st New Zealand Cup (Group 3), Class A Jockey, Samantha Wynne, admitted a charge that, as the Rider of LOSTCAUSE in the race, she “struck her mount 8 times prior to the 100 metres”.

Rule 638 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) except as provided for in (iii) (A) and (iii) (B) of this sub-Rule, 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).

EVIDENCE:

Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, showed a video replay of the final 200-300 metres of the race. He pointed out LOSTCAUSE, ridden by Ms Wynne, racing among runners behind the leaders as the field turned into the final straight. He then showed her use her whip eight times prior to the 100 metres.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Oatham outlined Ms Wynne’s record to the hearing. There are four previous breaches as follows:

4 July at Ashburton – 7 strikes plus 4, 5-days suspension;

26 July at Riccarton – 6 strikes plus 5, 5-days suspension;

10 August at Riccarton – 7 strikes plus 6, 9 days suspension; and

16 November at Riccarton – 6 strikes plus 5, 5 days suspension.

This breach is Ms Wynne’s fifth. For a “5th and following” breach, the Penalty Guide provides a starting point of “Suspension 5+ National Days”. She is already suspended up to and including 28 November, Mr Oatham said.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

For a 5th breach involving one additional strike, the RIB Thoroughbred Penalty Guide (March 2024) suggests a starting point for penalty of “Suspension 5+ National Days”. The penalty in this case needs to reflect Ms Wynne’s very poor record when it comes to whip breaches, this being her 5th breach in the last five months. A fourth breach took place earlier at today’s meeting.

The Adjudicative Committee uplifts the starting point for penalty to 8 days for a 5th breach. The race was a Group 3 Race for a stake of $400,000 and, for that factor, the starting point is uplifted a further two days to 10 days. A 10-days suspension is the appropriate penalty in this instance.

CONCLUSION:

Class A Jockey, Samantha Wynne’s Licence to ride in races is suspended from after the close of racing on 28 November, up to and including 12 December 2024 – 10 National Riding Days.

Decision Date: 16/11/2024

Publish Date: 21/11/2024