Wairio TC 8 February 2026 – R7 – Denis O’Connell

Mr Munro alleged that Mr O’Connell (JOANY BABY) drove carelessly in Race 7 in that he drove his horse into THE GREEK FREAK (M Williamson), causing his horse to break, losing ground and hampering a trailing runner WHAT’S THE WHISPER (P Williamson).

Mr Munro demonstrated on the films that JOANY BABY broke leaving the final bend, losing ground. He believed this was due to Mr O’Connell driving carelessly near the 300 metres, by shifting into a gap at speed and placing his runner on to the sulky of THE GREEK FREAK. A trailing runner, WHAT’S THE WHISPER, was hampered.

Mr O’Connell said he was up behind Mr Williamson, when he took hold of JOANY BABY and the horse went rough. He believed the head of JOANY BABY may have touched Mr Williamson’s helmet. He may have also touched Mr Williamson’s cart. He said Mr Williamson’s horse was tiring as he was coming up behind it and he had gone into the gap too fast.

Mr Munro agreed with Mr O’Connell, saying that was why the charge had been laid.

Decision

As Mr O’Connell has admitted the breach, it is found to be proved.

Penalty Submissions

Mr Munro produced the Respondent’s record. Mr O’Connell has had 377 lifetime drives, 6 this season and 17 last season. His record is clear under this Rule.

Mr Munro described the breach as mid-range. The consequences of the breach were that JOANY BABY had broken from its gait briefly.

Mr Munro referred to the starting point in the Penalty Guide.

Reasons for Penalty

The breach is mid-range. Mr O’Connell has shifted too quickly into a gap behind the tiring THE GREEK FREAK and his horse has broken stride briefly. The starting point in the Penalty Guide is a 2-day suspension or a $500 fine. Mitigating factors are that the consequences of the breach, in effect, were only to the chances of JOANY BABY, which finished the race off strongly, running 2nd, although still some distance from the winner, the admission of the breach, and excellent record.

Conclusion

Mr O’Connell is fined the sum of $400.