Ashburton RC 7 July 2022 – R4 – Tayla Mitchell
ID: RIB9937
Animal Name:
Usurer
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
07/07/2022
Race Club:
Ashburton Racing Club
Race Location:
Ashburton Racecourse - Racecourse Road, Ashburton, 7700
Race Number:
R4
Hearing Date:
07/07/2022
Hearing Location:
Ashburton Racecourse, Ashburton
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Apprentice Jockey, Tayla Mitchell, fined $500
BACKGROUND:
Following the running of Race 4, Sims Bakery Cakes for All Occasions 1400m, the Respondent, Class B Rider Tayla Mitchell, admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres, while riding USURER.
Apprentice Jockey Mentor, David Walsh, was present to assist.
Rule 638(3)(g)(i) provides that in a Flat Race, a Rider must not “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”.
EVIDENCE:
Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson, pointed out on a video replay Ms Taylor, riding USURER racing 3-wide near the lead as the field turned into the final straight. Shortly after turning for home, he said, the Respondent commenced using her whip and struck her mount 6 times prior to the 100 metres. The horse finished unplaced.
Neither Ms Mitchell nor Mr Walsh wished to comment on the replay.
DECISION:
As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.
SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:
Mr Davidson said that the Respondent had two previous breaches of the Whip Rule on her record – at Avondale on 25th May 2022 (7 strikes, fined $250) and at Counties on 28 May 2022 (6 strikes, fined $250). This is, therefore, her 3rd breach of the Rule, for which the Penalty Guide sets out a penalty of a $500 fine. There were no aggravating factors, Mr Davidson said, and the Respondent only struck her mount one further time inside the final 100 metres.
Mr Walsh said that this was only Ms Mitchell’s second ride on the track and the straight is deceptively long. Many riders get caught out, he said.
REASONS FOR PENALTY:
This was a breach involving one additional strike above the permitted 5 strikes. Unfortunately for Ms Mitchell, the breach is her third within the relevant period and, in terms of the NZTR Revised Penalty Guidelines, the prescribed penalty is a fine of $500. There are no relevant aggravating or mitigating factors.
CONCLUSION:
Apprentice Jockey, Tayla Mitchell, is fined $500.
Decision Date: 07/07/2022
Publish Date: 11/07/2022