Canterbury JC 13 November 2021 – R8 – Samantha Wynne

SUMMARY OF FACTS:

Jockey Samantha Wynne was charged after Race 8,  Barneswood Farm 49th New Zealand 1000 Guineas,  that she struck her mount, SHEPHERD’S DELIGHT 7 times prior to the 100 metres.

The Rule provides that a Rider must not strike a horse with a whip more than 5 times prior to the 100-metre mark.

SUBMISSIONS:

Mr Oatham showed video replays of the final 400 metres of the race. He pointed out SHEPHERD’S DELIGHT, ridden by Ms Wynne, which had trailed the leaders in the running, take the lead turning into the home straight. He alleged that Ms Wynne had used her whip 7 times prior to the 100-metre mark. The next strike was just inside the 100 metres, he said. The alleged count of 7 was accepted by Ms Wynne.

Ms Wynne said that she expected that her mount would get “swamped” in the straight and the fact that it was still there led to her continuing to encourage it. She got over-excited because it was a big race. However, she offered no excuse, she said.

The Committee noted that SHEPHERD’S DELIGHT finished 2nd in the race, the losing margin being a long head.

REASON FOR DECISION:

Ms Wynne has admitted the charge which is found proved accordingly.

SUBMISSION FOR PENALTY:

Mr Oatham referred to Ms Wynne’s record which is not a good one – 6 whip offences since the beginning of October. He outlined the details of all of those offences and the penalties imposed. The Penalty Guidelines do not provide for any offences beyond a fourth breach, he said. A suspension is required in this case and the Committee also needed to take into account the additional requirement for a fine of 50% of Ms Wynne’s share of the stake – in this case, $1,387.50. The race was a Group 1 Race for a stake of $300,000 which the Committee should take into account, Mr Oatham submitted.

Ms Wynne is already suspended up to 15 December and any suspension would take effect after that, Mr Oatham said.

Ms Wynne said she is really struggling coming to terms with the Whip Rules but will take her time out to “think about things” going forward. She has been “playing catch-up’ with the Whip Rules since returning from 6 weeks in Ireland. She is trying too hard and the big track is a problem for her, she said.

Mr Oatham told the Committee that Stewards intend to refer Ms Wynne to a Rider Skills Review Panel pursuant to Rule 343. It is frustrating for Stewards, he said, as Ms Wynne’s whip use is not extravagant and many of the strikes are backhand. The concern was over the number rather than the manner in which she is using the whip, he said.

REASON FOR PENALTY:

The NZTR Revised Penalty Guidelines do not make provision for the number of breaches in the range of Ms Wynne’s recent breaches. Her record is nothing short of appalling but we cannot help but have sympathy for her. We are pleased that some remedial steps to help her are finally going to be taken. The Committee totally supports the referral to a Rider Skills Review Panel.

In the meantime, we are required to deal with yet another breach which, obviously, requires a further term of suspension and, for this breach, a significant fine. The fine, 50% of Ms Wynne’s share of the stake is $1,387.50, which we uplift to $1,500. For her most recent breach, Ms Wynne received a term of suspension of 5 days and, for the present offence, we have decided to impose a suspension of  8 days on top of her existing terms of suspension, currently to 15 December. The penalty recognises the status of the race and the stake payable  (Group 1, $300,000).

CONCLUSIONS:

Jockey Samantha Wynne is suspended from 16 December 2021  to 27 December 2021, both dates inclusive – 8 national riding days. In addition, Ms Wynne is fined the sum of $1,500.