Ashburton TC 1 June 2025 – R8 – Nathan Williamson
ID: RIB55664
Animal Name:
Always Dreaming
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
01/06/2025
Race Club:
Ashburton Trotting Club
Race Location:
Ashburton Racecourse - Racecourse Road, Ashburton, 7700
Race Number:
R8
Hearing Date:
01/06/2025
Hearing Location:
Ashburton Racecourse, Ashburton
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Open Driver, Nathan Williamson, is fined $500
Following the running of Race 8, Rural Business Accountants 3YO Champion Stakes Mobile Pace, Open Driver, Nathan Williamson, admitted a breach of the Whip Rules in that, as the Driver of ALWAYS DREAMING 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 ALWAYS DREAMING, driven by Mr Williamson, trailing the leader, BAR LOUIE, as the field turned into the final straight. After turning for home, Mr Renault showed, Mr Williamson’s whip use became more than a wrist only flicking motion on some 12-13 occasions, he alleged, from the 200 metres to the 50 metres.
Mr Williamson 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 Williamson has had 207 drives in the 2025 season, and has a clear record.
Mr Renault said that Stewards believed the breach to be mid-level and then referred to the Penalty Guide starting point for a first, mid-level breach – $500 fine or 2-days suspension.
Mr Williamson expressed a preference for a fine, rather than a term of suspension.
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 Williamson has expressed a preference, in this instance, for a fine. 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 $500 fine.
CONCLUSION:
Open Driver, Nathan Williamson, is fined the sum of $500.
Decision Date: 01/06/2025
Publish Date: 04/06/2025