Ashburton TC 1 June 2025 – R10 – Bronson Munro

Following the running of Race 10, S.I.D.C. Social Club Fillies & Mares Mobile Trot, Open Driver, Bronson Munro, admitted a breach of the Whip Rules in that, as the Driver of YOSEMITE in the race, he “used his whip with 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.

 3.2     For the purposes of clause 3.1, “wrist only flicking motion” means:

 3.2.1    Ensuring no force is generated by the use of the elbow or shoulder when applying the whip.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Shane Renault, showed a video replay of the final 200-300 metres of the race. He pointed out YOSEMITE, driven by Mr Munro, racing beyond mid-field and amongst runners as the field turned into the final straight. After turning for home, Mr Renault showed, Mr Munro used his whip from the top of the straight in more than a wrist only flicking motion on some eight occasions, he alleged, before reverting to a compliant style over the final stages.

Mr Munro accepted Mr Renault’s assessment and did not wish to comment.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr  Renault said that Mr Munro has had 10 drives in the 2025 season and had 10 last season. He is starting to drive more often. He has a clear record, but received a warning following Race 3 today, for using his whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion. Mr Renault said that Stewards assessed the breach as being mid-level.

Mr Renault then referred to the Penalty Guide starting points for a mid-level, first breach – $500 fine or 2-days suspension.

Mr Munro expressed a preference for a suspension, which could commence immediately, he said.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) provides a starting point for penalty of a 2-days suspension or a fine of $500 for a mid-level, first breach. A “mid-level breach” is defined as “when the driver inadvertently uses the old whipping style for approximately 50 metres or more before returning to a compliant style”.  The Adjudicative Committee sees this particular breach as being mid-level within that definition.

Mr Munro has expressed a preference, in this instance, for a suspension. There are no relevant aggravating or mitigating factors to warrant a departure from the Penalty Guide starting point for a mid-level breach of a 2-days suspension.

CONCLUSION:

Open Driver, Bronson Munro, is suspended from after the close of racing on 1 June 2025 up to and including 8 June 2025 – 2 days.