Levin RC 26 July 2025 – R1 – Leah Hemi

EVIDENCE:

Following the running of Race 1, the “Levin Jumpouts Supporters Handicap”, Mr Davidson presented an Information charging Ms Hemi, the Rider of “KNOCK OFF”, with a breach of Whip Rule 638(3)(g)(i), alleging that she struck her mount with the whip 6 times prior to the 100 metres mark, and a further 5 times from there until the finish.

Ms Hemi admitted the charge.

The race films illustrated the offending – “KNOCK OFF” was leading the field when well into the concluding stages.  The horse was being hotly challenged by some other runners.  Prior to the 100 metre mark, Ms Hemi struck it with her whip 6 times before that mark.  She then went on to strike it 5 further times during the closing 100 metres to the finish.  “KNOCK OFF” responded to finish first, to win by 0.8 length from “PRIORESS” in second.

DECISION:

As the charge was admitted, it was deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Davidson advised that Ms Hemi was a very busy Rider, but that this was her 4th offence for breaching the “Whip” Rules over the past 6 months, the most recent being less than 3 weeks ago on 3 July 2025, where she received a penalty of 6 days suspension, although this was for an offence involving 3 strikes over the 5 strikes permitted.

He submitted a 2 days suspension and $500 fine was necessary.

Ms Hemi advised that she wished to ride (with committed mounts) at Riccarton on 2 August 2025, 7 days hence.  She frankly said that she had had to ride as she did “to fight off severe challenges from other horses”.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The NZTR “Penalty Guide” recommends a 2 National Days suspension plus a fine of $250.  But there are aggravating features that compel the Adjudicative Committee to impose a larger fine.  These include the fact that Ms Hemi’s mount won the race and she would receive a little over $1,000 as a percentage of the winning stake.  In the Adjudicative Committee’s assessment, this would have been unlikely to have been achieved, but for the breach of the Rule.  Secondly, there is a need to provide some deterrence – both personally to Ms Hemi by reason of the frequency of her breaches of the Rule, and secondly, for general deterrence to all Riders that this breach of the Rule has to cease, otherwise deterrent penalties will occur.

CONCLUSION:

In Ms Hemi’s case, a suspension of 2 National Riding Days is fixed and a fine of $750 imposed, because of her winning the race and her recent offending.

Accordingly, Ms Hemi’s Licence to ride is suspended from the end of racing today, 26 July 2025, until the end of racing on 30 July 2025.  In addition, she is fined $750.