Northern Southland TC 8 March 2025 – R2 – Matthew Williamson

BACKGROUND

Following the running of Race 2, Open Driver Matthew Williamson admitted a breach of Whip Rule 869(2). The particulars of the charge were that, when driving MAJOR BOY, he used his whip with more than a wrist flick 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 Whip and Rein Regulations made by the Board.

The Whip and Rein Regulations, in part, provide:

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.

3.2 For the purposes of clause 3.1, “wrist only flicking motion” means:

3.2.1 Ensuring no force is generated by the use of the elbow or shoulder when applying the whip.

At the start of the hearing, Mr Williamson confirmed his admission of the breach and that he understood the relevant Rule and Regulations.

EVIDENCE

Mr Munro, with the assistance of Ms Haley, used the available race videos to identify Mr Williamson angling from 3 back on the pegs on the home turn out into clear running soon after entering the straight. Stewards considered two whip strikes by Mr Williamson in the first part of the straight to be marginal, Mr Munro said. The Respondent then released the earplugs and delivered three more whip strikes over a short distance from about the 160 metre mark. Stewards submitted that these strikes involved use of the elbow by the Respondent and were therefore in breach of the Rule and Whip and Rein Regulations. Mr Williamson returned to a compliant style for the last part of the race, Mr Munro said.

Mr Williamson accepted the submissions made by the Stewards.

DECISION

As Mr Williamson has admitted the breach, it is found to be proved.

PENALTY SUBMISSIONS

Stewards produced the Respondent’s record, which showed that Mr Williamson had had 151 drives this season and 785 the last. His lifetime drives stood at 12,013. He was “a really busy South Island Driver,” Mr Munro said. Mr Williamson had no breaches of the Whip Rule for at least the previous 12 months, which Mr Munro said was an excellent record. However, the Respondent had been warned about his whip use on 2 February 2025.

Stewards submitted this was a low level breach. In those circumstances, the RIB Penalty Guide provides a starting point of a $300 fine or a 2-day suspension.

Mr Williamson expressed a preference for a fine rather than a suspension. He asked that consideration be given to his very good record.

REASONS FOR PENALTY

The breach is low level. Mr Williamson has used his whip in breach of the Whip Rule and the Whip and Rein Regulations for a short distance in the home straight, before promptly returning to a compliant style. The three strikes in breach involved use of the elbow. The Penalty Guide provides a starting point of a fine of $300 or a 2-day suspension for a first such breach. Noting the Respondent’s preference, the Adjudicative Committee adopts a starting point of a $300 fine.

Mr Williamson finished 3rd in the race, but this is not found to be an aggravating factor.

The reset period for breaches of the Whip Rule is 2 months or 100 drives, whichever arises first. The Respondent has a clear record under this Rule for the previous 12 months and is one of the South Island’s busiest Drivers. His record is excellent, and is recognised as a mitigating factor. A $50 reduction in the starting point is warranted to reflect this.

CONCLUSION

Driver Matthew Williamson is fined $250.