NZ Metro TC 28 November 2025 – R10 – Paul Nairn

Following the running of Race 10, Garrards Horse & Hound Trot, Open Driver, Paul Nairn, admitted a breach of the Whip Rules in that, as the Driver of TU TANGATA in the race, he “used his whip free in the run home”.

Rule 869 provides:

(2)     No driver shall during any race use a whip in a manner in contravention of the Whip and Rein Regulations made by the Board.

The Whip and Regulations provide follows:

3.1     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.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward Shane Renault, showed a video replay of the final 200 metres of the race. He pointed out TU TANGATA, driven by Mr Nairn, which had been racing four places back on the markers in the 10-horse field, being worked into the clear and obtaining a run inside the final 200 metres. He showed Mr Nairn, at that point, activate gear and use his whip in a backhand manner, free of the rein, on three occasions. Mr Nairn then regathered the rein, Mr Renault said. It was a very minor “offence”, with no force involved, he said. Mr Nairn had simply failed to grab the rein before using his whip, he said.

Mr Nairn did not wish to comment.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

PENALTY SUBMISSIONS:

Mr Renault said that Mr Nairn has had 69 drives this season. He has two breaches of the Rule and Regulations on his record – at Addington on 11 November 2025, suspended 3 days (low-level breach) and at Banks Peninsula on 12 October 2025, suspended 3 days, (high-level breach), both breaches being for using the whip free of the rein.

This breach was low-level, Mr Renault said. He referred the Adjudicative Committee to the Penalty Guide, which provides a starting point for a second, low-level breach of the Rule of a 3-days suspension. This breach being a third breach, a suspension of 4 days would be an appropriate penalty, he submitted.

Mr Nairn asked if any suspension could commence after the meeting of Timaru HRC on 3 December 2025.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

Whip “free of the rein” refers to when a Driver is holding the whip in one hand and not maintaining contact with the rein in the same hand while using the whip – that is to say, the Driver lets go of a rein to strike the horse.

This was a low-level breach by any definition. There were three backhand strikes, not forceful, free of the rein. However, Mr Nairn has two recent similar breaches on his record.

The starting point under the RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide, for a second breach, is a 3-days suspension. Given that this breach is a third breach, an uplifted penalty needs to be imposed.

The Adjudicative Committee noted that TU TANGATA won the race. However, given the very low-level nature of the whip use, the Adjudicative Committee was satisfied that it did not enhance the performance of the horse.

CONCLUSION:

Mr Nairn’s application for a deferment is granted.

Open Driver Paul Nairn, is suspended from after the close of racing on 3 December 2025, up to and including 12 December 2025, after which date he may drive – 4 days.