Avondale JC 16 July 2025 – R7 – Yuga Okubo

Following the running of Race 7, the Respondent Apprentice Rider, Yuga Okubo, admitted a charge where he was alleged to have used his whip in consecutive strides over the concluding stages of the race.

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

(ii) strike a horse with a whip in consecutive strides at any stage of the race.

Using the available race films, Stipendiary Steward, Mr A Dooley, demonstrated that Mr Okubo struck his mount (GINA ROSE) in consecutive strides (2 strikes) approaching the 100 metres.  He said that GINA ROSE went on to win the race.

DECISION:

As Mr Okubo admitted the breach, it was deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Dooley submitted that Mr Okubo had received a warning for breaching the Whip Rule in this manner on 21 June 2025.  He said, subsequently at Rotorua on 2 July 2025, Mr Okubo had been charged twice on that raceday.  Both charges had been proved and for the second breach, he had been fined $300.  The current breach was therefore Mr Okubo’s 4th breach.

Mr Dooley advised that the starting point for a 4th breach (two consecutive strides) was a $500 fine.  He submitted there were no reasons to differ from the Guideline penalty.

Mr Okubo explained that he never intended to strike his horse the second time and until he saw the Steward’s video, he had not realised that he had used a second strike.  He apologised.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Penalty Guide starting point for a breach of this nature is a $500 fine.  Therefore, after considering the film evidence and the submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined a fine of $500 to be appropriate in the circumstances.  There are no aggravating or mitigating factors, that would justify a variation from the Guideline starting point.

CONCLUSION

Apprentice Rider, Mr Okubo is fined $500.