Banks Peninsula TC 21 September 2025 – R2 – Philippa Wakelin

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 2, the Respondent Open Driver Philippa Wakelin admitted a breach of Whip Rule 869(2).  The particulars of the charge are that when driving B K MUMMA JAMIE she used her 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 Shane Renault, with the assistance of Stipendiary Steward Paul Williams, used available video footage to demonstrate the breach. He pointed out Ms Wakelin driving B K MUMMA JAMIE racing in contention, mid field with approximately 300m to run. Mr Williams showed that Ms Wakelin drew her whip and used it on 11 occasions with more than a wrist flicking motion, over 100 to 150m of the concluding stages of the race. Mr Renault stated that Ms Wakelin began her whip use in a compliant manner, but for 100 to 150m of the race, she used her whip in more than a wrist flicking motion. He added that Ms Wakelin reverted back to a compliant manner of whip use prior to the finish.

Ms Wakelin conceded that her whip action was in breach of the Rules and Regulations. She added that the horse was “running out bad” so she chose to change her whip into the right hand, to her detriment.

 Decision:

The charge is admitted and therefore proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Renault produced the Respondent’s record, which indicated a clear record. He added that Ms Wakelin had driven on 31 occasions so far this season.

He said that Stewards assessed the breach to be mid-level, due to the number of strikes with more than a wrist flicking motion. Mr Renault stated that the Penalty Guide provided a $500 fine or 2 day suspension for a 1st breach, mid level offence under this Rule and submitted that a 2 day suspension be considered as penalty.

Ms Wakelin said she would prefer a suspension as penalty.

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, due to the sheer number of non compliant strikes.

The Penalty Guide provides a $500 fine or 2-day suspension starting point for a first breach of this Rule for a mid level offence. A suspension was deemed an appropriate penalty in this case.

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

Taking all factors into account, the Adjudicative Committee determined that a 2 day suspension, commensurate with the Penalty Guide, was an appropriate penalty in this case.

Conclusion:

The Respondent is suspended for a period of 2 days, commencing after racing today, 21 September 2025, up to and including 1 October 2025. Relevant race days encompassed in this period of suspension are Timaru – 28 September 2025 and Addington – 1 October 2025.