Auckland TC 3 February 2022 – R2 – Tony Cameron

Subsequent to the running of Race 2, Mr Cameron faced a charge in that he breached Rule 869 (2) by ‘using his whip in a more than a wrist flicking motion inside the final 300 metres’.

Mr Cameron acknowledged that he understood the Rule and Regulations and that he admitted the breach.

The relevant section of the Whip & Rein Regulations says ‘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’.

For clarity, the Regulation further states: ‘wrist flicking motion means’

1. Ensuring no force is generated by the use of the elbow or shoulder when applying the whip,
2. The forearm is not raised beyond forty-five degrees relative to the racing surface,
3. Not applying the whip with over force.

Mr Dooley used the films to identify the horse SLY TERROR  as it passed the 300m marker. Mr Cameron commenced striking the horse with his whip. A number of the strikes were in breach of the above Regulations in that they were applied with some force with Mr Cameron’s forearm raised beyond the forty-five degrees described. Some of the strikes were within the Guidelines described. Further on into the home straight Mr Cameron again struck the horse a number of times in breach of the Regulations. Mr Dooley said the number of strikes were not the issue – it was the manner in which Mr Cameron used the whip that concerned the Stewards.

Mr Cameron said the sulky on the horse he was driving was bigger than he usually drove with and it caused him to be further back from the horse. He said that caused some difficulty for him with his whip use.

Submissions on Penalty

Mr Dooley referred to a prior breach by Mr Cameron on 19 November 2021 when he was fined $200. He said that because this was his second breach in the prescribed period a suspension of his licence to drive of between 3-5 days was indicated.

Mr Cameron said that he wished to drive on 6 February at Stratford and could begin a suspension after that days racing.

Reasons for Penalty

The Adjudicative Committee was concerned at the number of strikes involved in this breach. While the Rule and Regulations do not state a number, it still must be taken into account that the breach involved more than just a ‘few’ strikes. The Adjudicative Committee was further concerned at the use of force involved with some of the strikes.

We assessed the breach as being at the medium level and adopted a starting point of a 3 day suspension. We deemed the force being used in some of the strikes as being an aggravating factor and added a further day to the suspension accordingly.

Conclusion

Mr Cameron’s licence to drive in races was suspended from after racing on 6 February 2022 until after racing on 17th February 2022, a 4 day suspension.

Meetings involved are :

11 February          Cambridge

12 February          Auckland

15th February      Palmerston North

17th February      Palmerston North