NZ Metro TC 13 April 2022 – R6 – Murray Edmonds
ID: RIB8507
Animal Name:
MACY BLACK
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
13/04/2022
Race Club:
NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc
Race Location:
Addington Raceway - 75 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington, Christchurch, 8024
Race Number:
R6
Hearing Date:
13/04/2022
Hearing Location:
Addington Raceway - 75 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington, Christchurch, 8024
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Driver Murray Edmonds is suspended for 4 days.
Summary of Facts:
Following the running of Race 6, Respondent Mr Murray Edmonds admitted a breach of Whip Rule 869 (2). The particulars of the charge are that Mr Edmonds used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion 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 Mr Shane Renault used available video footage to demonstrate the breach. He pointed to Mr Edmonds finishing in the passing lane and using his whip 5 times with more than a wrist flicking motion.
The Respondent was excused from attending the hearing by the Stewards, had viewed the videos, and accepted the details of the charge.
Decision:
The charge is admitted and therefore proved.
Submission For Penalty:
Mr Williams produced the Respondent Mr Edmonds’ record which indicated 3 previous breaches of the Rule, 29 December 2021 – fined $200, 6 March 2022 – 3 day suspension, 20 March 2022 – 4 day suspension.
Mr Renault said that Stewards assessed the breach to be low-level and submitted that it be dealt with by way of a 5-day suspension.
No deferment is sought by the Respondent.
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 low-level.
A low-level breach is defined as when a driver inadvertently reverts to the old style (freehand, loose reining and or more than a flicking motion) but promptly takes corrective action to return to a compliant style.
The Penalty Guide provides a suspension for repeated offending at any level.
Having considered all factors, the Adjudicative Committee deemed a suspension to be an appropriate penalty in this case but any further indiscretions under the Regulations by Mr Edmonds within the reset period will be dealt with by a more significant sanction.
Conclusion:
The Respondent is suspended for a period of 4 days commencing 16 April 2022Â and concluding 24 April 2022.
Decision Date: 13/04/2022
Publish Date: 14/04/2022