Ashburton RC 7 July 2022 – R6 – Tayla Mitchell
ID: RIB9938
Animal Name:
Zambezi Zipper
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
07/07/2022
Race Club:
Ashburton Racing Club
Race Location:
Ashburton Racecourse - Racecourse Road, Ashburton, 7700
Race Number:
R6
Hearing Date:
07/07/2022
Hearing Location:
Ashburton Racecourse, Ashburton
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Apprentice Jockey, Tayla Mitchell, suspended 6 days
BACKGROUND:
Following the running of Race 6, Trembath Plumbing Open Handicap 2200m, the Respondent Apprentice Jockey Tayla Mitchell, admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres, while riding ZAMBEZI ZIPPER.
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:
Using the available video replays, Stipendiary Steward Mark Davidson, pointed out ZAMBEZI ZIPPER, ridden by the Respondent, racing wide and midfield as the field turned into the home straight. Mr Davidson demonstrated that the Respondent, from that point, struck her mount 8 times to the 100 metre mark, finishing towards the rear of the field.
Neither the Respondent nor Mr Walsh wished to comment on the video replay.
DECISION:
As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.
SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:
Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson, said that this was the Respondent’s 4th breach of the Rule in the last 6 months, having earlier committed a 3rd breach in Race 4 at this meeting. He referred to the NZTR Revised Penalty Guidelines. For a 4th breach involving 3 additional strikes, he said, those Guidelines prescribed a starting point of a 5+ National Days suspension. He submitted that, this being the Respondent’s second breach on the day, there should be an uplift from the 5+ days. There were no aggravating factors, Mr Davidson submitted. The Respondent is an emerging young Rider who is riding well and is sought after to ride in both the North and South Islands, he said.
Mr Walsh said that the Respondent would seek a deferment of suspension until after meetings on 16 July.
REASONS FOR PENALTY:
The Adjudicative Committee decided that a 6-days suspension was the appropriate penalty in this instance. The Respondent, the Adjudicative Committee acknowledges, is a promising and talented young Rider – prior to today’s meeting she has had 67 rides in the current season for 5 wins. However, her record of whip breaches is a bad one, including a breach in the race, two races before this one. This suspension will be her first for whip breaches and period of suspension, it is hoped, will serve as a deterrent to her.
CONCLUSION:
The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted.
The Respondent, Apprentice Jockey Tayla Mitchell, is suspended for 6 national riding days commencing after the conclusion of racing on 16 July 2022 up to and including 28 July 2022.
Decision Date: 07/07/2022
Publish Date: 11/07/2022