Invercargill HRC 23 November 2022 – R4 – Jeremy Douglas

Background

Following the running of Race 4 Sweet Lou ‘A Sire Kicking Goals’ Mobile pace, the Respondent, Driver Jeremy Douglas, admitted a breach of Whip Rule 869(2). The particulars of the charge are that as the Driver of ALWAYS B THERE in the race, he used his whip in more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.

Rule 869 provides: 

(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.

The Whip and Rein Regulations provide:

(3.1) A driver may only apply the whip in a wrist flicking motion whilst holding a rein in each hand with the tip of the whip pointed forward in an action which does not engage the shoulder.

Evidence 

Stipendiary Steward Vinny Munro had Stipendiary Steward Rebecca Haley show a video replay of the final 250 metres of the race. Miss Haley pointed out ALWAYS B THERE, driven by the Respondent, was racing three wide entering the straight. Mr Douglas has used his whip on four occasions from the 250 metre mark to the 150 metre mark, with more than a wrist flicking motion.

The Respondent accepted Miss Haley’s description of this.

Decision

The charge is admitted and therefore proved.

Submissions for Penalty 

Mr Munro said that Mr Douglas has had 250 Lifetime Drives, 42 this season and 54 last season and was a successful Trainer/Driver this season. Mr Munro believed the breach to be at the low end, noting that Mr Douglas has received a $300 penalty on the 13th of November 2022, only four face day drives ago.

The HRNZ Whip Penalty Guidelines suggest a penalty for a second offence within 6 months is a 3 to 5 day suspension.

Mr Douglas had no submissions on penalty.

Reasons for Penalty 

The Adjudicative Committee agreed that the breach was low level, and that a penalty of a 3 day suspension was appropriate for this second offence within 6 months.

Conclusion 

The Respondent Driver Jeremy Douglas, was suspended from the conclusion of racing on the 23rd November 2022, until the conclusion of racing on December 8th 2022 (3 racing days).