Ashburton RC 19 October 2025 – R6 – Sanu Toolooa

Following the running of Race 6, Hygain Stayers Challenge Handicap 2200, Class A Jockey Sanu Toolooa, admitted a breach of Rule 638(3)(f)(iii) in that, as the Rider of DIAMOND RIVIERE in the race, he “struck his mount with the whip when not in contention of finishing in the first five placings”.

Rule 638 provides:

   (3)(f) Without limiting the generality of subrule (3)(e), in a Flat Race . . . a Rider must not    use his or her whip:

          (iii) when the Rider’s horse is out of contention of finishing in the first five placings.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward Rebecca Haley, had Chief Stipendiary Steward John Oatham, show a video replay of the final 300 metres of the race. He pointed out DIAMOND RIVIERE, ridden by Mr Toolooa, racing among the last few runners in the 11-horse field turning into the home straight.

Mr Toolooa tried the horse with the whip, but it was not really responding, Mr Oatham said. The horse continued to give ground and drifted to last, but Mr Toolooa continued using the whip inside the final 100 metres, when it was clear that the horse had no prospect of finishing in the first five placings. There were four or five strikes that were unnecessary, Mr Oatham said.

DIAMOND RIVIERE finished last in the race (9 lengths from the winner), Mr Oatham said.

Mr Toolooa said that he was still trying to finish in the first five placings, but should have ceased using his whip before he did.

DECISION:

The breach having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Ms Haley said that Mr Toolooa has an excellent record under the Rule. The Penalty Guide starting point for a first breach is a fine of $300 and Stewards saw the penalty as being at that level.

Mr Toolooa did not wish to make any penalty submission.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

“Out of contention” usually means the horse has dropped out, or is not in a competitive position, or cannot improve its placing. There have clearly been four or five strikes of the whip, in this case, where the horse was “out of contention” in terms of that definition. Breaches of this Rule are relatively rare.

The RIB Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide (February 2025) provides a starting point for a breach of the Rule of a $300 fine. That is for a medium-level breach. This breach qualifies as medium-level, the Adjudicative Committee found. Mr Toolooa has a clear record under the Rule and has made a very frank admission of the breach, but those factors do not warrant, in this case, a reduction from the Penalty Guide starting point, having regard to the number of strikes when the horse was clearly out of contention.

CONCLUSION:

Class A Jockey, Sanu Toolooa, is fined the sum of $300.