Banks Peninsula RC 12 February 2022 – R1 – Wiremu Pinn
ID: RIB7335
Animal Name:
Acquittal
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
12/02/2022
Race Club:
Banks Peninsula Racing Club
Race Location:
Riccarton Park - 165 Racecourse Road, Christchurch,
Race Number:
R1
Hearing Date:
12/02/2022
Hearing Location:
Riccarton Park, Christchurch
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Apprentice Jockey, Wiremu Pinn, suspended 5 days
BACKGROUND:
Following the running of Race 1, Fiona Stuart Memorial Maiden, Apprentice Jockey, Wiremu Pinn, admitted a charge alleging excessive use of the whip prior to the 100 metres.
Apprentice Jockey Mentor, David Walsh, 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.
EVIDENCE:
Using the available video replays, Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson, demonstrated that the Respondent struck his mount a clear 6 times from the straight entrance to the 100-metres mark. A 7th strike was right on or past the 100 metres. After that last strike, Mr Pinn did not hit his mount again in the race, Mr Davidson said.
Mr Pinn responded that the replay showed everything. Mr Walsh submitted that many of the country’s best Jockeys get caught out by the long  straight at Riccarton, particularly if a Jockey has not ridden on the course for some time, as in Mr Pinn’s case. It is so easy to get caught out, especially on a wet track, he said.
The Adjudicative Committee noted that Mr Pinn’s mount finished in 2nd placing, beaten by 3 lengths.
DECISION;
As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).
SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:
Mr Davidson said that in the last 6 months, Mr Pinn has recorded three previous breaches – at Matamata on  25 September 2021 (7 strikes, fined $250), on 1 October 2021 at Waikato (7 strikes, fined $500) and on 2 October 2021 at Hastings (6 strikes, suspended 5 days and fined $200). He accepted that Mr Pinn had been caught out by the length of the straight. Mr Pinn had only used the whip 7 times in the entire race, he said. Mr Davidson submitted that a suspension of 5 days would be appropriate. Mr Pinn indicated that he wished any suspension to commence immediately.
The NZTR Revised Penalty Guidelines provide for a penalty of 5-plus days for a 4th breach. The Adjudicative Committee decided not to increase the starting point beyond 5 days, having regard to the totality of whip use, that the uses of the whip were well spaced and they were not forceful.
CONCLUSION:
Apprentice Jockey, Wiremu Pinn, is suspended for 5 national riding days – from close of racing on 12 February until after the close of racing on 23 February 2022.
Decision Date: 12/02/2022
Publish Date: 14/02/2022