Gore HRC 16 February 2025 – R2 – Craig Ferguson
ID: RIB51671
Animal Name:
BABE ON THE BEACH
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
16/02/2025
Race Club:
Gore Harness Racing Club
Race Location:
Gore Racecourse - 136 Gore-Mataura Highway, Gore, 9772
Race Number:
R2
Hearing Date:
16/02/2025
Hearing Location:
Gore
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Driver Craig Ferguson is fined $275
Mr Munro alleged that in Race 2, Mr Ferguson (BABE ON THE BEACH) used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.
Miss Haley demonstrated the incident on the videos. The Respondent was racing near the rear of the field exiting the home bend. He activated gear and turned his whip. He then urged his horse using his elbow, before returning to a compliant style in the latter stages of the race. The horse, which finished 4th, ran on well towards the outside of the track.
Mr Ferguson accepted the Stewards’ analysis of the video and said he was attempting to put the whip through the top of the tail, but he had gone too high with his arm action. The horse had been responding well to his urgings.
Decision
As Mr Ferguson has admitted the breach, it is found to be proved.
Submissions as to Penalty
Mr Munro produced the Respondent’s record, which showed that Mr Ferguson has had 48 drives this season and 285 the last. He had had 3614 lifetime drives. His record is clear under this Rule. Mr Munro submitted the breach was low-range.
Mr Ferguson said he had been trying to be kind to the horse and had got it wrong on this occasion.
Reasons for Penalty
The breach is low-range. The Penalty Guide provides a starting point of a fine of $300 for a first such breach. Mr Ferguson is a very busy South Island Driver who has a clear record under this Rule in the past 12 months. Balancing this with the fact he received a warning in mid-January some 34 drives ago, a penalty just below the starting point is appropriate.
Conclusion
Mr Ferguson is fined the sum of $275.
Decision Date: 16/02/2025
Publish Date: 18/02/2025