Auckland TR 23 April 2022 – R6 – Trudy Thornton
ID: RIB8675
Animal Name:
CARTE BLANCHE
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
23/04/2022
Race Club:
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing
Race Location:
Pukekohe Park - 222/250 Manukau Road, Pukekohe Hill, Pukekohe, 2120
Race Number:
R6
Hearing Date:
23/04/2022
Hearing Location:
Pukekohe Park
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Jockey Trudy Thornton is fined $750
Evidence
Following the running of Race 6, the Respondent Trudy Thornton, Rider, admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres. Ms Thornton endorsed the Information that she did not wish to be present for the hearing with the Stewards confirming that this was the case.
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);
Using the available race films, Mr Jones demonstrated that the Respondent struck her mount 6 times from the straight entrance to the 100-metre mark.
As Ms Thornton chose not to be present, no submissions were presented on her behalf.
Decision
As the Respondent Trudy Thornton admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).
Submissions For Penalty
Mr Jones produced Ms Thornton’s record which indicated 2 previous breaches of Rule 638(3)(g)(i) in the previous 6 months.
Stewards assessed the breach as low and submitted a penalty commensurate with the NZTR Revised Penalty Guide for excessive whip use (as of 1 March 2022).
Mr Jones said an aggravating factor was that the breach had occurred in a Group 2 race and that this should represent an uplift in penalty from the starting point.
The Respondent’s share of the stake was $90.
The Respondent had no submissions on penalty, as she chose not to be present.
Reasons For Penalty
The Penalty Guide starting point for a breach of this nature is; the greater of $500 or 50% of the Rider’s stake money earnt (if the breach occurred in a black type race).
After considering the film evidence, the submissions and having due regard for the number and frequency of strikes, the force used, the Respondent’s share of stake and the fact the race was a Group 2 event, the Adjudicative Committee determined there are no compelling reasons to depart from the starting point set out in the Penalty Guide.
Due to the fact that this breach occurred in a Group 2 event, an uplift of $250 was applied.
Conclusion
Ms Thornton is fined $750.
Decision Date: 23/04/2022
Publish Date: 26/04/2022