Manawatu RC 21 December 2024 – R1 – Sam Weatherley
ID: RIB49780
Animal Name:
Scotch Bonnet
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
21/12/2024
Race Club:
Manawatu Race Club
Race Location:
Trentham - 10 Racecourse Rd, Upper Hutt, 5018
Race Number:
R1
Hearing Date:
21/12/2024
Hearing Location:
Trentham Racecourse - 10 Racecourse Road Trentham Upper Hutt
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Rider Sam Weatherley is fined $750
Evidence
Following the running of Race 1, the Marsh Insurance 1400, Mr Weatherley admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres. Details are as follows:
‘in that he used his whip excessively’.
Rule 638(3)(g)(i) provides that in a Flat Race a Rider must not:
(i) strike a horse with a whip more than 5 times prior to the 100-metre mark (other than in a slapping motion down the shoulder with the whip hand remaining on the reins); where it shall not be a contravention of this Rule if
(B) a Rider strikes a horse six times prior to the 100 metre mark, provided that the Rider does not strike the horse more than four times after the 100 metre mark.
Using the available race footage, Mr Oatham identified that Mr Weatherley struck his mount six times between the entrance to the straight and the 100 metre mark. An additional five strikes occurred between the 100 metre point and the finish post. The mount of Mr Weatherley won the event, with the margin between 1st and 2nd, being a nose. Mr Weatherley agreed with the count.
Decision
As Mr Weatherley admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.
Submissions for Penalty
Mr Oatham produced Mr Weatherley’s record, which indicated this was his 3rd breach of this particular Rule within the last six months. The previous were noted as follows:
Waikato TR– 12/10/2024 – 7 strikes, $500 fine
Otago RC  – 18/10/2024 – 7 strikes, 5 day suspension
Stewards submitted a penalty commensurate with the NZTR Revised Penalty Guide for excessive whip use (as of March 2024). Stewards asked that an uplift in penalty be considered, given Mr Weatherley had gone on and won the race.
Reasons for Penalty
The offence is clearly identified by way of film. The Penalty Guide prescribes a starting point of a fine of $500 in circumstance of 1 additional strike, 3rd offence. This was adopted as the starting point. The Adjudicative Committee concurred that an uplift was required, given SCOTCH BONNET had won the race by a small margin. A fine of $750 was deemed the appropriate penalty.
Conclusion
Mr Weatherley is fined a sum of $750.
Decision Date: 21/12/2024
Publish Date: 23/12/2024