Canterbury JC 6 November 2021 – R11 – Samantha Wynne

SUMMARY OF FACTS:

Following Race 11, Blue Star Taxis Premier Rating 65, Jockey Samantha Wynne was charged that as the Rider of GOODONYAMATE in the race, she used her whip 6 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 Ms Wynne’s mount, GOODONYAMATE, running last in the 18-horse field as the field turned into the home straight. He then showed her commence using her whip and, from that point, use it on a total of six occasions prior to the 100 metres. Her mount passed only one other runner in the straight, he said.

Ms Wynne said that she accepted the alleged count of 6 strikes. She wanted to be seen to be doing her best for the Trainer of the horse, she said.

REASON FOR DECISION:

Ms Wynne has admitted the charge which is found proved accordingly

SUBMISSION FOR PENALTY:

Mr Oatham said that it was unnecessary to go through Ms Wynne’s record again, only to point out that this was now her 5th charge. The Penalty Guide does not address a 5th breach, he said. The starting point should be beyond the starting point for a 4th breach of 5-plus national riding days. Ms Wynne is already under suspension until after 2 December next, he said.

Ms Wynne apologised to the Committee and admitted that she was “really struggling” since her return from a 6-week trip to Ireland several months ago. The long straight is catching her out, she said. She is not “smashing” her mounts, she said, and is trying to space out her whip use, but there is no excuse.

REASON FOR PENALTY:

The Committee expressed its concern to Ms Wynne over her serial offending against the Whip Rules and urged her to seek any possible advice or assistance which might be available to her.

This present breach was foolhardy, to say the least, and totally unnecessary. Her mount was clearly out of contention at the home turn when she began her whip use and it managed to beat home only one other runner, which was being eased, home.

Reluctantly, we must add to the two terms of suspension already imposed on her on this raceday, with the result that she will be away from race riding for a total of some 5 weeks. It is to be hoped that, during this period, Ms Wynne is able to reflect on the issues she has and how to overcome those issues. She needs to do this.

An uplift from the term of her most recent period of suspension, which was 5 days, is appropriate.

CONCLUSION:

Ms Wynne’s Class A Jockey’s Licence is further suspended from 3 December 2021 to 15 December 2021, both days inclusive. This is 7 national riding days.