Auckland TR 21 February 2026 – R3 – Ryan Elliot

BACKGROUND

Following the running of Race 3, the Respondent Class A Rider Mr R Elliot admitted a charge alleging that he struck his mount OLD BILL BONE once forward of the saddle, with the whip held in the forehand position.

Rule 638(3)(f)(xi) provides that, in a Flat Race or Trial, a Rider must not use his or her whip:

forward of the Rider’s saddle whilst the whip is held in the forehand position.

At the commencement of the hearing, Mr Elliot confirmed his admission of the breach.

EVIDENCE

Using the available race films, Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham identified OLD BILL BONE, ridden by Mr Elliot, who was racing 3 off the fence at about the 250-metre mark. He said Mr Elliot changed his whip hand by pulling his whip through his reins from his left to right hand and applied one strike forward of the saddle, with his whip held in his forehand.

In response, Mr Elliot said that he did not realise he had breached the Rule until he was shown the race films. He accepted the breach and by way of explanation, said that his mount was hanging throughout the race and in order to ensure it ran a straight line in the home straight, he pulled his whip through to his right hand and intended to strike his mount behind the saddle. Using the race films, Mr Elliot referred to this.

DECISION

As Mr Elliot has admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach to be proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY

Mr Oatham advised that this is Mr Elliot’s second breach of the Rule. The previous one occurred on 23 January 2026 at Matamata RC and resulted in a $300 fine.

Mr Oatham agreed there was merit to Mr Elliot’s claim that his mount was hanging, resulting in him having to change whip hands to maintain a straight line. He said either a $300 fine, or a very modest uplift, would be appropriate, given the circumstances.

Mr Elliot submitted that he only struck his mount once, because it was hanging.

REASONS FOR PENALTY

The race films clearly depicted the breach.  In assessing the appropriate penalty, the Adjudicative Committee notes that the Penalty Guide provides a starting point penalty of a $300 fine for offences of this nature. Although this is Mr Elliot’s second breach of the relevant Rule, there are no other aggravating circumstances present that would warrant a further increase in penalty.

The Adjudicative Committee acknowledges the merit in Mr Elliot’s explanation. However, the Adjudicative Committee also observes that Mr Elliot’s decision to strike his mount forward of the saddle with the whip held in a forehand position, rather than behind the saddle as intended, was a hasty and ill-considered response.

Taking all these factors into account, the Adjudicative Committee determined that no uplift should be applied to the starting point. Accordingly, the penalty remains at the prescribed starting level.

CONCLUSION

Class A Rider Mr Elliot is fined $300.