Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 24 January 2026 – R8 – Leah Hemi
ID: RIB63182
Animal Name:
TEXAS DOLLY
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
24/01/2026
Race Club:
Canterbury Jockey Club
Race Location:
Riccarton Park - 165 Racecourse Road, Christchurch,
Race Number:
R8
Hearing Date:
24/01/2026
Hearing Location:
Riccarton Park, Christchurch
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Class A Rider Leah Hemi is fined $450
Evidence
Following the running of Race 8, the Respondent Class A Rider, Leah Hemi, admitted a charge alleging that she struck her mount TEXAS DOLLY above shoulder height throughout the final straight”.
The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule, the nature of the charge and confirmed her admission of the breach.
Rule 638(3)(f)(ii) provides that in a Flat Race a Rider must not:
(3) Whip rules
(f) Without limiting the generality of subrule 638(3)(e), in a Flat Race or Jumping Race, a
Trial (including jump-outs and/or tests for certification purposes) a Rider must not use
their or her whip:
(ii) using an action that raises the Rider’s arm above shoulder height; or
Using the available race films, Senior Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson demonstrated that the Respondent struck her mount 2 times using an action above shoulder height in the home straight.
Ms Hemi stated that she was not a natural left hand whip Rider and her action was awkward, resulting in her arm tending to get above shoulder height.
Decision
As the Respondent Ms Hemi admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).
Submissions for Penalty
Mr Davidson produced the Respondent’s record, which indicated a prior breach at Wellington on 17 January 2026, where she received a $250 fine.
He stated the Penalty Guide for an initial breach of using an action above shoulder height, was a fine of $250. He submitted that an uplift be considered, due to this being Ms Hemi’s 2nd breach within the last 6 months.
Ms Hemi elected to make no submissions in regard to penalty.
Reasons for Penalty
The Penalty Guide starting point for a breach of this nature is set out below.
Using an action that raises the Rider’s arm above shoulder height 1st Breach $250 fine
This Adjudicative Committee determined that there were aggravating factors to consider, being Ms Hemi’s record showing a prior breach very recently at Wellington, where she received a fine of $250. The other aggravating factor the Adjudicative Committee took into consideration was that the race was a Listed Race, the Timaru Stakes. These aggravating factors warranted a combined uplift in penalty, which was set at $200.
It was therefore determined that an appropriate penalty in this case was a $450 fine.
Conclusion
Ms Hemi is fined the sum of $450.
Decision Date: 24/01/2026
Publish Date: 27/01/2026