Amberley TC 6 February 2026 – R10 (heard 8 February 2026 at Methven) – Mia Holbrough

Following the running of Race 10, Dawe Contracting Ltd – Shore Accounting Solutions Mobile Pace, Junior Driver, Mia Holbrough, admitted a charge that, as the Driver of ROCKOUTRAY in the race, she used her whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion, in the run home.

The Respondent, a Junior Driver, was assisted at the hearing by Open Driver, Sheree Tomlinson.

Rule 869 provides as follows:

(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:

3.1     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.

3.2     For the purposes of clause 3.1, “wrist only flicking motion” means: 

3.2.1      Ensuring no force is generated by the use of the elbow or shoulder when applying the whip.

3.2.2      The forearm is not raised beyond forty-five degrees relative to the racing surface.

3.2.3      Not applying the whip with overt force.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Shane Renault, showed a video replay of the final 200-300 metres of the race. He pointed out ROCKOUTRAY, driven by Ms Holbrough, being drawn out, 3-wide, from the one-out, one-back position to challenge the leaders as the field neared the home turn. Shortly after turning into the final straight, Ms Holbrough activated gear, turned her whip and commenced using it in more than a wrist only flicking motion, and continued using it, clearly, outside the Whip Rules. Mr Renault described a number of the strikes as being “very forceful”.

The Adjudicative Committee noted that ROCKOUTRAY finished in 9th placing in the 13-horse field, 3.7 lengths from the winner.

Ms Holbrough said that it did not look good, but added that she does not hit a horse as hard as some Drivers do.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Renault said that the Respondent has had 38 drives this season and 184 last season. She has a clear record under the Whip Rules, but has received two recent warnings. Stewards believed that the breach was high-level.

The Penalty Guide recommended starting point for penalty is a 3-days suspension. That would be an appropriate penalty for this breach, Mr Renault submitted.

Ms Holbrough said that she has a “pretty clear” record and suggested a 2-days suspension. She has been “really good” lately, she said. She requested that any term of suspension commence after the meeting of Banks Peninsula TC on 15 February.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) defines a “high-level breach” as when “the driver shows total disregard for the Regulations and does not return to a compliant style”. The suggested starting point for such a breach is a 3-days suspension.

This breach was high-level within that definition. The number of non-compliant strikes was high, and some were delivered with a degree of force.

Ms Holbrough has admitted the breach and has a clear record. Notwithstanding that, having regard to the high-level nature of the breach, those factors are not sufficiently compelling to warrant any reduction from the Penalty Guide starting point.

CONCLUSION:

Ms Holbrough’s request for a deferment is granted.

Licensed Junior Driver, Mia Holbrough, is suspended from after the conclusion of racing on 15 February 2026, up to and including 22 February 2026– 3 days.