Banks Peninsula TC 17 March 2024 – R4 – Grant Hunt

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 4, the Respondent Open Driver Grant Hunt admitted a breach of Whip Rule 869 (2).  The particulars of the charge are that when driving STRIKE ME HANDSOME he used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home. 

Rule 869 provides that:

(2) No driver shall during any race use a whip in a manner in contravention of the Use of the Whip Regulations made by the Board.

Stipendiary Steward Matt Sole used available video footage to demonstrate the breach. He pointed out Mr Hunt driving STRIKE ME HANDSOME racing mid track and mid field after the field turned for home. Mr Sole showed that Mr Hunt drew his whip and used it on 5 occasions with more than a wrist flicking motion. Mr Hunt, he said, then returned to a compliant style of whip use for the remainder of the race.

Mr Hunt stated he needed to get his whip action sorted.

Decision:

The charge is admitted and therefore proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Sole produced the Respondent’s record which indicated a previous suspension of 2 days on 23 February 2024 at Wyndham.

Mr Sole said that Stewards assessed the breach to be mid-level and as it was Mr Hunt’s second breach within a 2 month period, the Penalty Guide starting point is a 4 day suspension.

Mr Hunt stated that Mr Sole’s submissions on penalty were fair. He added that he did not seek a deferment and requested any suspension begin as soon as possible.

Reasons for Penalty:

After consideration of the evidence from all parties concerned and viewing the race films of the concluding stages of the race, the Adjudicative Committee also assessed the breach as mid-level.

The Penalty Guide provides a 4-day suspension starting point for a second breach of this Rule within a 2-month period.

It was determined that there were no aggravating factors to consider, therefore no uplift was warranted.

After taking consideration of all factors, the Adjudicative Committee deemed a 4-day suspension to be an appropriate penalty.

Conclusion:

The Respondent is suspended for a period of 4 days commencing after racing today, 17 March 2024, up to and including 27 March 2024. Relevant race days encompassed in this period of suspension are Addington – 20 March, Addington – 22 March, Waimate – 24 March and Addington – 27 March 2024.