Auckland TR 23 April 2022 – R7 – Bridget Grylls

ID: RIB8677

Respondent(s):
Bridget Grylls - Jockey

Applicant:
Mr Brady Jones - Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Adam Smith

Persons Present:
L Selvakumaran - Stipendiary Steward

Information Number:
A17195

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Excessive Whip Use

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

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
TELLALL

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:
R7

Hearing Date:
23/04/2022

Hearing Location:
Pukekohe Park

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Jockey Bridget Grylls is suspended for 6 national days

Evidence

Following the running of Race 7, the Respondent Bridget Grylls, Rider, admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use 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);

Using the available race films, Mrs Selvakumaran demonstrated that the Respondent struck her mount 7 times from the straight entrance to the 100-metre mark.

Ms Grylls declined the opportunity to offer any comment in relation to the breach.

Decision

As the Respondent Bridget Grylls admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).

Submissions For Penalty

Mr Jones produced Ms Grylls’ record which indicated 2 previous breaches of Rule 638(3)(g)(i).

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 3 race worth $120,000.

The Respondents share of the stake was $90.

Pursuant to Rule 1106(2)(b) or Rule 1106(3) (b), the Respondent sought a 7 day deferment to any proposed suspension in order to fulfil pending riding engagements.

Reasons For Penalty

The Penalty Guide starting point for a breach of this nature is a 5 day suspension. (2 Additional strikes, 3rd breach). For black type races the Penalty Guide says that the starting point should be 50% of stake money earned and may also incur a suspension.

For the purpose of this penalty the Adjudicative Committee set the starting point at 5 national riding days.

Due to the fact that this breach occurred in a Group 3 event, an uplift of 1 further riding day was applied.

Conclusion

Ms Grylls is granted a 7-day deferment. Her licence to ride in races is suspended for 6 days from close of racing on 30th April 2022 until close of racing on 8th May 2022.

Decision Date: 23/04/2022

Publish Date: 26/04/2022