Akaroa TC 12 October 2025 – R6 – Peter Davis

Following the running of Race 6, The Famous Grouse (Lincoln) Trot, Open Driver Peter Davis, as the Driver of ORIGIN in the race, admitted a charge of using his whip in more than a wrist flicking motion 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:

3.1 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.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Shane Renault, showed a video replay of the final 300 metres of the race. He pointed out ORIGIN, driven by Mr Davis, racing in the trail behind the leader, ROYAL ROCK, as the field turned into the home straight. He then showed Mr Davis take the passing lane, activate gear, and commence using his whip. Mr Renault alleged that Mr Davis used his whip over a distance of some 200 metres on approximately ten occasions, in more than a wrist only flicking motion, before returning to a compliant style over the final 50 metres.

Mr Davis did not wish to comment, other than to say that the video evidence was “pretty clear”.

The Adjudicative Committee noted that ORIGIN finished in 3rd place.

DECISION:

The charge is admitted and is therefore deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Stipendiary Steward, Mr Renault, said that Mr Davis has had 59 drives this season and has a clear record.

Stewards saw the breach as being mid-level, for which the starting point is a fine of $500 or a 2-days suspension. He said that Mr Davis had said that he would prefer a suspension.

Mr Davis confirmed that, and said that he wished any suspension to commence immediately.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Adjudicative Committee agreed with Mr Renault’s submission that this breach was mid-level as defined in the HRNZ Whip Penalty Guide, that is to say – “when a driver inadvertently uses the old whipping style for approximately 50 metres or more before returning to a compliant style”.

For a first, mid-level breach such as this, the starting point for penalty under the RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) is a fine of $500 or a suspension of 2 days. In this case, there are no relevant aggravating or mitigating factors to consider and, accordingly, a penalty of a 2-day suspension is appropriate.

CONCLUSION:

The Respondent, Open Driver Peter Davis, is suspended from after racing on 12 October 2025, up to and including 22 October 2025 – 2 days. The meetings intended to be encompassed by the period of suspension are the two meetings of NZ Metropolitan TC on 17 and 22 October 2025. Mr Davis has no notified drives at the NZ Metropolitan TC Meeting on 15 October 2025, for which Drivers have been notified.