NZ Metro TC 11 April 2025 – R7- Luke Whittaker

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 7, Future Wealth Sires’ Stakes Aged Trotters Classic Handicap Trot (Listed Race), the Respondent Open Driver Luke Whittaker admitted a breach of Whip Rule 869(2).  The particulars of the charge are that when driving ZOLTAN BOSCIK, he used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion and in a continuous manner 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.

Stipendiary Steward Shane Renault used available video footage to demonstrate the breach. He pointed out Mr Whittaker driving ZOLTAN BOSCIK, racing 3 back on the pylons as the field turned for home. Mr Renault demonstrated that Mr Whittaker drew his whip and used it with more than a wrist flicking motion on 4 occasions and 15 strikes in a continuous manner, from the 225m to the 100m. He added that Mr Whittaker reverted back to a more compliant style of whip use for the remainder of the race.

Mr Whittaker stated he was trying to improve his whip action, with little success.

Decision:

The charge is admitted and therefore proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Renault produced the Respondent’s record, which indicated a prior breach on 21 March 2025 at Addington, where he received a 4 day suspension.

Mr Renault said that Stewards assessed the breach to be mid-level and added it was a Listed Race, with a stake of $50,000. He said that the Penalty Guide provided a 5 day starting point for a mid level, second breach of this Rule in a Listed Race. He submitted that it be dealt with by way of 5-day suspension. Mr Renault stated that the Respondent had driven on 10 occasions last season, with 5 drives so far this season.

Mr Whittaker requested any 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 assessed the breach as mid range, due to the number of strikes and the period of continuous use of the whip.

Accordingly, the Adjudicative Committee adopted the 5 day starting point for a second breach of this Rule within a 2 month period, in a Listed Race, as set out in the Penalty Guide.

After taking into account all factors, including the fact that Mr Whittaker drove infrequently, it was determined that a 5 day suspension, commensurate with the Penalty Guide starting point, was an appropriate penalty in this case.

Conclusion:

Mr Whittaker was suspended from the conclusion of racing today, 11 April 2025, up to and including 30 April 2025. The meetings at Methven on 13 April and Addington on 15 April were not included in penalty, as Drivers were already declared for those meetings. Relevant meetings encompassed in this period of suspension are 19 April – Addington, 21 April – Banks Peninsula, 25 April – Addington, Rangiora – 27 April and Addington – 30 April 2025.