Hororata TC 6 March 2022 – R3 – Murray Edmonds
ID: RIB7029
Animal Name:
FIRE IN THE RAIN
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
06/03/2022
Race Club:
Hororata Trotting Club
Race Location:
Methven Racecourse - 47 Mount Hutt Station Road, Methven, 7782
Race Number:
R3
Hearing Date:
06/03/2022
Hearing Location:
Mt Harding Racecourse, Methven.
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Driver Murray Edmonds is suspended for 3 days.
Summary of Facts:
Following the running of Race 3, the Respondent Mr Murray Edmonds admitted a breach of Whip Rule 869 (2). The particulars of the charge are that ” you used your whip free of the rein.”.
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 Mr Paul Williams used available video footage to demonstrate the breach. He pointed to Mr Edmonds driving FIRE IN THE RAIN in last place, 300 metres from the finish. Mr Williams showed Mr Edmonds turn his whip and strike his horse on one occasion free of the rein.
The Respondent advised the Adjudicative Committee there was no excuse.
Decision:
The charge is admitted and therefore proved.
Submission For Penalty:
Mr Williams produced Mr Edmond’s record which indicated a fine of $200 for a breach of the same Rule on 29 December 2021.
Mr Williams said that Stewards assessed the breach to be low-level, and submitted that it be dealt with by way of suspension as this is Mr Edmonds’s 2nd breach within a short period of time.
The Respondent made no submissions and did not request a deferment for any proposed suspension.
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 assessed the breach as low-level.
A low-level breach is defined as when a driver inadvertently reverts to the old style (freehand, loose reining, and or more than a flicking motion) but promptly takes corrective action to return to a compliant style.
The Low-level Penalty Guideline for a second or subsequent breach is a 3-day suspension.
In terms of Penalty, the Respondent made no submissions
Having considered all factors, the Adjudicative Committee deemed a suspension to be an appropriate penalty.
Conclusion:
The Respondent is suspended for a period of 3 days commencing 9 March 2022 and concluding 13 March 2022.
Decision Date: 06/03/2022
Publish Date: 07/03/2022