Auckland TC 23 October 2026 – R6 – Stephanie Burley

INTRODUCTION

Following the running of Race 7, Junior Driver Stephanie Burley who was assisted by Senior Driver Mr M White, admitted a breach of the Whip Rules in that, as the Driver of BOLT FOR THE HILL “she used her whip in a continuous manner in the run home”.

Rule 869 provides:

(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:

3.3     A driver shall not use a whip in an unapproved manner.

3.4    For the purposes of clause 3.3 a driver shall be deemed to have used the whip in an unapproved manner in the following circumstances which are not exclusive:

3.4.2  If the whip is applied excessively, continuously, or without allowing the horse time to respond.

EVIDENCE

Using the race footage, Mr Mulcay demonstrated the breach. He identified BOLT FOR THE HILL, driven by Ms Burley, racing in the middle of the track during the concluding stages. BOLT FOR THE HILL finished in third place.

Mr Mulcay stated that Ms Burley used the whip continuously on approximately 14 occasions, between the 150-metre and 40-metre marks. She then returned to compliant whip use.

Ms Burley agreed with Mr Mulcay’s assessment and had nothing further to add.

DECISION

The charge, having been admitted, was found proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY

Mr Wallis submitted that Ms Burley had one previous breach of the Rule. That breach occurred on 11 September 2026 and resulted in a two-day suspension.

Given the number of strikes applied over a relatively short distance in the present case, he recommended a four-day suspension.

Ms Burley advised that she could commence any suspension immediately.

She asked the Adjudicative Committee to consider whether the concession for Junior-Driver Races at Addington, held on Wednesdays, should apply when determining the suspension dates. She confirmed that she had driven in such a race the previous Wednesday and intended to remain available for similar races in the future.

Mr Wallis reviewed the racing calendar for the following two weeks and confirmed that no Junior Driver concession races were scheduled.

REASONS FOR PENALTY

The Penalty Guide does not specifically define “continuous use” and states that charges under the Rule must be assessed on their particular facts. However, continuous whip use may broadly include several strikes delivered in rapid succession without any discernible respite.

Having reviewed the race footage and considered the nature and application of the whip strikes, the Adjudicative Committee assessed the breach as mid-level.

For a second mid-level breach, the Penalty Guide establishes a starting point of a four-day suspension.

Taking into account Ms Burley’s record, her admission of the breach, and the nature of the offending, the Adjudicative Committee determined that a four-day suspension was appropriate.

Accordingly, Ms Burley’s Licence to drive in races is suspended for four North Island race days.

As a Junior Driver, Ms Burley would be eligible to drive in Junior-Driver Concession Races anywhere in New Zealand. However, no such races are scheduled in the immediate future. Such races therefore cannot be taken into account when determining the suspension dates.

CONCLUSION

Junior Driver Ms Burley is suspended for four days, commencing after racing on 23 October 2026 and concluding after racing on 6 November 2026.