Ashburton RC 3 April 2025 – R1 – Leah Hemi
ID: RIB53340
Animal Name:
MOUNTAIN OF LIGHT
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
03/04/2025
Race Club:
Ashburton Racing Club
Race Location:
Ashburton Racecourse - Racecourse Road, Ashburton, 7700
Race Number:
R1
Hearing Date:
03/04/2025
Hearing Location:
Ashburton
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Jockey Leah Hemi was fined $500
Evidence
Following the running of Race 1, the Respondent Class A Rider Leah Hemi admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres “in that Ms Hemi struck her mount MOUNTAIN OF LIGHT seven times prior to the 100m with a further 4 strikes inside the 100 metres.”
The Respondent had endorsed the Information that she admitted the breach. She also endorsed the Information that she did not wish to be present at the hearing, due to her busy commitments throughout the race day.
Rule 638(3)(g)(i) provides that in a Flat Race a Rider must not:
(i) strike a horse with a whip more than 5 times prior to the 100-metre mark (other than in a slapping motion down the shoulder with the whip hand remaining on the reins); or
Using the available race films, Stipendiary Steward Veronica Algar demonstrated that the Respondent, after turning for home in the trail of the leaders, drew her whip and struck her mount 7 times from near the 300m to the 100-metre mark, with a further 4 strikes prior to the winning post, which excluded her from an exception under the Rules.
Decision
As the Respondent Ms Hemi admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).
Submissions for Penalty
Ms Algar produced Ms Hemi’s record, which indicated 1 previous breach being;
19 December 2024 – Otaki – 5 day suspension for 7 strikes.
Ms Algar stated the Penalty Guide for a second breach within 6 months for 2 additional strikes, was a $500 fine and submitted that there were no aggravating factors to consider.
Reasons for Penalty
The Penalty Guide starting point for a breach of this nature is set out below.
For breaches of the Whip Rule prior to the 100m mark:
2nd offence starting point $500 where there are 2 additional strikes
The Adjudicative Committee determined that there were no aggravating factors to consider, therefore no uplift in penalty was warranted.
It was therefore determined, that an appropriate penalty in this case was a $500 fine.
Conclusion
Ms Hemi is fined the sum of $500.
Decision Date: 03/04/2025
Publish Date: 04/04/2025