Auckland TR 23 April 2022 – R6 – Trudy Thornton

ID: RIB8675

Respondent(s):
Trudy Thornton - Jockey

Applicant:
Mr Brady Jones - Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Adam Smith

Information Number:
A17194

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Excessive Whip Use

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

Plea:
Admitted

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