Methven TC 10 September 2023 – R1 – Ian Cameron

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 1, the Respondent Ian Cameron admitted a breach of Whip Rule 869(2) and the Whip & Rein Regulations.

The particulars of the charge are that when driving KING OF DIAMONDS, he used his whip free of the rein on one occasion in the run home.

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.

Regulation 3.1 reads as follows;

3. USE OF THE WHIP

 3.1 A driver may only apply the whip in a wrist only 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.

Stipendiary Steward Matthew Sole, with the assistance of Stipendiary Steward Shane Renault, used available video footage to demonstrate the alleged breach. Mr Renault pointed out Mr Cameron cross his reins, activate the horses gear and use the whip free of the rein on one occasion near the 200m.

In response, the Respondent advised the Adjudicative Committee that he believed that he had crossed the reins to activate gear, but did not think he had struck the horse with the whip. He said another angle of the incident may have assisted him. He, however, conceded that he was in breach of the Rule.

Decision:

As Mr Cameron has admitted the breach, it is therefore found proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Sole stated that Mr Cameron was warned regarding use of his whip at Reefton on 12 March 2023, suspended for 2 days at Addington on 24 March 2023 for using the whip free of the rein and on 21 May 2023, a breach for using the whip in more than a wrist flicking motion at Rangiora.  He stated that this breach was low-level and with the Penalty Guide providing a 3-day starting point  for a low-range 2nd breach, he submitted that an uplift be considered, as this was Mr Cameron’s 3rd breach within 6 months.

The Respondent elected to make no submissions in regard to penalty, apart from requesting the suspension begin as soon as possible.

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 agreed with the Stewards and assessed the breach as low-level.

The Penalty Guide provides a 3-day suspension as a starting point for a second breach of this Rule.

With consideration that this was Mr Cameron’s third offence and that the breach was low level, it was determined that an uplift was warranted, with a 4-day suspension deemed appropriate in this case.

Conclusion:

The Respondent is suspended from conclusion of racing today, 10 September 2023, up to and including 24 September 2023. Relevant meetings encompassed in this period of suspension are Addington – 15 September 2023, Oamaru – 17 September, Addington – 21 September and Banks Peninsula – 24 September 2023.