NZ Metro TC 11 November 2025 – R8 – Samantha Ottley

Following the running of Race 8, Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes Final (Group 1), Open Driver, Samantha Ottley, defended a breach of the Whip Rules in that, as the Driver of JUMAL in the race, “she used her whip in a continuous manner 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:

3.3     A driver shall not use a whip in an unapproved manner.

 3.4     For the purposes of clause 3.3 a driver shall be deemed to have used the whip in an unapproved manner in the following circumstances which are not exclusive:

 3.4.2  If the whip is applied excessively, continuously, or without allowing the horse time to respond.

EVIDENCE:

Chief Stipendiary Steward, Nigel McIntyre, showed a video replay to demonstrate the alleged whip use by Ms Ottley. He pointed out that JUMAL, driven by Ms Ottley, was the leader as the field turned into the final straight. Stewards were satisfied that her whip use was compliant in the early stages of the run home, he said. However, he alleged, from just inside the 100 metres Ms Ottley had used her whip in a continuous manner – in the vicinity of twelve strikes in “rapid fire motion”. The strikes were not forceful, but Drivers had been asked to break up their whip use after five strikes and use an alternative action, Mr McIntyre said. Ms Ottley had not complied with this, he said.

Ms Ottley said it was a Group 1 Race and every Driver was trying. She submitted that her whip use was not that bad at all. It was not forceful, she said, and her actions were similar to the actions of the Drivers on either side of her. Her own whip action was more upright. She had pushed with the reins in the last 30 metres or so, she submitted.

DECISION:

The charge was found proved.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Continuous use of the whip means a Driver is striking the horse using a series of rapid, repetitive strikes with no visible pause or break, or without varying the action.

The Adjudicative Committee was comfortably satisfied that Ms Ottley’s whip use, on this occasion, was continuous and constituted a breach of the Rule. Mr McIntyre alleged a total of continuous strikes in the vicinity of twelve. Her exuberance was completely understandable, given the race was a Group 1 race for a stake of $200,000. However, the Rule applies to such an event and continuous use of the whip is a breach of the Whip Rules.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr McIntyre told the hearing that Ms Ottley has a clear record. She has had 639 drives this season. The Penalty Guide starting point for a low-level, first breach in a Group 1 race is a 7-days suspension. This breach was low-level, Mr McIntyre said. Stewards were recommending, on this occasion, a 4-days suspension, he said.

Ms Ottley said that a 4-days suspension would be a harsh penalty for someone like herself. She stressed her clear record and that the breach was low-level. She sought a deferment until after the meeting of NZ Metropolitan TC on 21 November next.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) provides a starting point for a low-level, first breach, which this was, in a Group 1 Race of a 7-day suspension.

Ms Ottley has denied the breach, but the Adjudicative Committee did not consider her defence to be frivolous and she was, of course, entitled to deny the charge. In addition, Ms Ottley’s whip record is excellent. Another factor which weighed heavily on the Adjudicative Committee, was the low-level nature of the breach – the few instances, short duration and less than forceful.

Having regard to Ms Ottley’s very good record and the low-level nature of the breach, the Adjudicative Committee extends a 3-day discount from the Penalty Guide starting point.

CONCLUSION:

Open Driver, Samantha Ottley, is suspended from after the close of racing on 21 November 2025, up to and including 28 November 2025, after which date she may drive – 4 days.