Auckland TR 23 April 2022 – R7 – Masa Hashizume

Evidence

Following the running of Race 7, the Respondent Masa Hashizume admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres.

Apprentice Mentor Noel Harris was present to assist.

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, Mrs Selvakumaran demonstrated that the Respondent struck his mount 7 times from the straight entrance to the 100-metre mark.

In response, by way of explanation, Mr Hashizume said that he always counts how many times he strikes his mounts and that was why he had a very good whip record. Mr Hashizume said he counted that he had struck his mount 5 times, and waited for the red mark on the running rail indicating he had entered the final 100m, before applying the whip again. He said that because he was racing adjacent to the running rail, that he confused the red mark at the 200m mark with the 100m mark. He said he applied the whip a further 2 times before he realised his error.

Mr Harris said that Mr Hashizume was very diligent when analysing his race riding and understood how he had made the error.

Decision

As Mr Hashizume admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).

Submissions For Penalty

Mr Jones produced Mr Hashizume’s record which indicated no previous breaches under the Rule.

Mr Jones said that a penalty in line with the Penalty Guidelines would be appropriate, however as the breach had occurred in a Group 3 race worth $120,000 the Stewards would see this as an aggravating factor.

The Respondent had nothing to add in regard to Penalty submissions.

Reasons For Penalty

The Penalty Guide starting point for a breach of this nature is a $250 fine, (2 additional strikes, first breach). If the breach occurs in a Black type race the starting point to be 50% of stake money earned in addition to any suspension imposed.

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 Group 3 status of the race, 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 black type race, an uplift of $150 has been applied to the penalty.

Conclusion

Mr Hashizume is fined $400.