Auckland TR 19 April 2025 – R7 – Masa Hashizume

ID: RIB54099

Respondent(s):
Masahiro Hashizume - Jockey

Applicant:
Mr J Oatham - Chief Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Mr G Jones (Chair) and Mr A Smith

Persons Present:
Mr Oatham, Mr Hashizume

Information Number:
A18196

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Excessive whip strikes (9 strikes)

Rule(s):
638(3)(g)(i) - Contravention whip rule

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
ATMOSPHERIC

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
19/04/2025

Race Club:
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing

Race Location:
Ellerslie Racecourse - 100 Ascot Ave, Ellerslie, Auckland, 1050

Race Number:
R7

Hearing Date:
19/04/2025

Hearing Location:
Ellerslie - AK RC

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Jockey Masa Hashizume is suspended for 6 days and fined $150

Evidence

Following the running of Race 7, the Group 3 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes ($120K), the Respondent Class A Rider Mr Masa Hashizume admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres.

The Information alleged that Mr Hashizume struck his mount ATMOSPHERIC 9 times prior to the 100 metres.

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

(i) strike a horse with a whip more than 5 times prior to the 100-metre mark (other than in a slapping motion down the shoulder with the whip hand remaining on the reins); or

Using the available race films, Mr Oatham identified ATMOSPHERIC ridden by Mr Hashizume. He demonstrated that Mr Hashizume struck his mount 9 times from the straight entrance to the 100-metre mark.

Mr Oatham pointed out that the final strike was just before the 100 metres.

Mr Hashizume agreed with the number of strikes.

Decision

As Mr Hashizume admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submissions for Penalty

Mr Oatham advised that Mr Hashizume has a clear record under the Rule.

Referring to the Penalty Guide, Mr Oatham submitted that the recommended penalty for a first offence involving 4 or more strikes, has a starting point of 5 days suspension.  He added that it was an aggravating factor that the breach occurred in a Group 3 Race with a stake of $120,000.  He said that Mr Hashizume’s mount finished in fourth place, receiving stake money of $6000 and 50% of Mr Hashizume’s share of the stake was $150.

Mr Hashizume sought a deferment to any proposed suspension, until after racing on 26 April 2025. He had nothing further to add concerning penalty at that point, but when he was advised that he would receive 6 day suspension plus fine, he queried why he should receive any uplift from the 5 day starting point.  He said that no other Rider has received an uplift.

Reasons for Penalty

The Penalty Guide starting point for a breach of this nature is a 5 day suspension. The Penalty Guide framework for whip penalties takes into account the number of previous breaches incurred by a Rider.  In this case, Mr Hashizume’s starting point penalty recognises the fact that this is his first breach within the reset period.  Also, as a rule of practice, no discounts are applied for an admission of the breach with regards to whip breaches, but an uplift may be applied pursuant to Rule 920(2) which provides that:

(2)       On finding a breach proved the Adjudicative Committee may impose any penalty provided by these Rules.  In imposing a penalty provided in these Rules the Adjudicative Committee may have regard to such matters as it considers appropriate including:

(a)       the status of the Race;

(b)       the stake payable in respect of the Race;

(c)        any consequential effects upon any person or horse as a result of the breach of the Rule; and/or

(d)       the need to maintain integrity and public confidence in racing.

In addition, the NZTR Directive which relates to Whip and Careless Riding breaches, and is included in the Penalty Guide provides that:

In all [638(3)(g)(i) and 638(3)(g)(ii)] breaches of the Whip Rules 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 or the starting point on the whip penalty table, whichever is greater, and may be in addition to any suspension imposed as above.

Therefore, in consideration of the Group 3 status of the race and the $120,000 stake money, the Adjudicative Committee applied a 1-day uplift to the starting point, and a $150 fine imposed.

In response to Mr Hashizume’s concern that no Riders have received an uplift in relation to whip breaches, it must be pointed out that uplifts are often necessary and are frequently imposed by Adjudicative Committees. Therefore, he has not been singled out or treated differently from any other Rider in similar circumstances. Several examples support this: Apprentice Rider T Mitchell breached the Whip Rule for excessive use on three recent occasions (Nov 24, Dec 24, and Jan 25) in Group Races, resulting in an uplift to her starting point penalty. Rider C Zackery (2022) struck his mount eight times in a Group Race and received a one-day uplift due to the status of the race. Rider J Doyle (2023) struck his mount seven times in a Group Race and received a one-day uplift due to the status of the race .

Accordingly, after considering the circumstances of the breach and the submissions, a 6-day suspension and $150 fine is imposed.

Conclusion

Mr Hashizume is granted a deferment and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for 6 days, commencing after racing on 26 April 2025 and concluding after racing on 7 May 2025.

Decision Date: 19/04/2025

Publish Date: 22/04/2025