Auckland TR 13 March 2022 – R6 – Matthew Cameron

Evidence

Following the running of Race 6, the Respondent Mathew Cameron, admitted a charge alleging that he twice used his whip in consecutive strides over the concluding stages.

The Information provided that M Cameron (LICKETY SPLIT) used the whip in 3 consecutive strides followed by a further 4 strides after a pause of 1 stride.

Rule 638(3)(g)(ii) provides that in a Flat Race a Rider must not:

(ii) strike a horse with a whip in consecutive strides at any stage of the race.

Using the available race films, Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham demonstrated that at around the 100m Mr Cameron struck his mount 3 times consecutively and then paused for one stride and then struck his mount again 4 times consecutively over the concluding stages of the race. He also submitted that Mr Cameron won the race by a nose.  

In response, by way of explanation the Respondent Mr Cameron said he agreed with the number of strikes, it was a Group 1 race and he got a bit carried away.

Decision

As the Respondent admitted the breach the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submissions For Penalty

Mr Oatham produced the Respondent’s record which indicated no previous breaches of the Whip Rules.

Mr Oatham submitted a penalty commensurate with the NZTR Revised Penalty Guide for improper whip use (as of 1 March 2022).  He referred to a first breach of 3 consecutive strikes being a $500 fine and a 2^nd breach of 4 strikes being a suspension of 5+ days.

He added that the breach occurred in a Group 1 race and an appropriate uplift should be applied along with a fine starting point of 50% of the Rider’s share of the stakemoney.

The Respondent’s share of the stake was $6900 with $3450 being 50% of his share.

The Respondent submitted that his record was amazing but the incident looked pretty bad.

Mr Cameron had been suspended earlier in the day with his suspension ending after racing on the 26th of March. Any proposed suspension would commence at the completion of racing on this date.

Reasons For Penalty

The Penalty Guide starting point for a breach of this nature is (as per updated NZTR Penalty Guide dated 1 March 2022) provides:

1st breach 3 consecutive strides $300 fine.

1st breach 4 consecutive strides suspension 5 National Days.

Furthermore, the revised Penalty Guide provides that:

In any Black-Type race, the starting point for a fine will be an amount equal to 50% of the Jockey’s share of the stake earned by their mount, and may be in addition to any suspension imposed as above.

After considering the film evidence and the submissions and having due regard for the number of consecutive strikes, the Group 1 status of the race, as well as the Respondent’s share of the stake ($3450), the Adjudicative Committee determined there are no compelling reasons to depart from the penalties set out in the Penalty Guide.

The Respondent earlier admitted a charge of careless riding arising from his mount being relegated from 1st to 2nd following a Protest in Race 5.  As a result, a 4-day suspension was imposed.  Although the penalty in Race 5 and this penalty in Race 6 are separate matters, the Adjudicative Committee in consideration of the Respondent’s overall penalty has had regard for the totality principle.

The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted.

Due to the fact that this breach occurred in a black type race (Group 1) an uplift of 3 days suspension has been applied.  Further a fine of $3500 is imposed.

Conclusion

The Respondent’s licence to ride in races is suspended for 8 days from 27 March 2022 close until close of racing on 9 April 2022.

In addition, a fine of $3500 is imposed.