Ashburton TC 1 June 2025 – R9 – Nathan Williamson

Following the running of Race 9, Rakaia Seed Cleaning NZ Sapling Stakes Mobile Pace (Group 2), Open Driver, Nathan Williamson, admitted a breach of the Whip Rules in that, as the Driver of SIMPLY AMAZING 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 SIMPLY AMAZING, driven by Mr Williamson, racing three places back on the markers in the seven-horse field as the field neared the final straight. After turning for home, Mr Williamson eased his horse away from the markers, and Mr Renault showed that he turned his whip and used it in more than a wrist only flicking motion on some three occasions over a short distance, he alleged, before returning to a compliant style.

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. He has one breach on his record, in Race 8 at today’s meeting – fined $500 for using his whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion.

Mr Renault then referred to the Penalty Guide starting point for a second breach in a Group 2 Race – a 7-days suspension. He submitted that this breach was in the low-end range and, as such, a lesser starting point is appropriate. He submitted that a 6-days suspension was appropriate.

Mr Williamson said that he will be driving everywhere (South Island) in coming days. Mr Renault agreed that any South Island day could, in Mr Williamson’s case, be included in any period of suspension. Any period of suspension could commence after the Invercargill HRC Meeting on 2 June 2025, Mr Williamson said.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) provides a starting point for penalty of a 7-days suspension for a mid-level, first breach in a Group 2 Race. A “low-level breach” is defined as when a Driver “inadvertently uses the old whipping style before returning to the compliant style”. The Adjudicative Committee sees this particular breach as clearly low-level within that definition involving, as it did, only three non-compliant strikes.

For a low-level breach, a 6-days starting point is appropriate. The Adjudicative Committee takes into account Mr Williamson’s admission of the breach and that, prior to his breaching the Whip Rules in the previous race, his record was a good one. A 5-days suspension is a significant penalty for Mr Williamson, who is a busy Driver, and the Adjudicative Committee deems a 5-days suspension to be a sufficient penalty for this breach.

CONCLUSION:

Open Driver, Nathan Williamson, is suspended from after the close of racing on 2 June 2025, up to and including 15 June 2025 – 5 days.