NZ Metro TC 13 February 2026 – R10 – Brent Weaver

Following the running of Race 10, Check Out “Renwick Farms” 2026 Draft Mobile Pace, Open Driver, Brent Weaver, admitted a breach of the Whip Rules in that, as the Driver of SHADOW CREEK in the race, he “used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home”.

Rule 869 provides:

(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.

The Whip and Rein Regulations 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.

EVIDENCE:

Chief Stipendiary Steward Nigel McIntyre, showed a video replay of the final 200-300 metres of the race. He pointed out SHADOW CREEK, driven by Mr Weaver, racing four places back on the markers as the field turned into the final straight.

Mr McIntyre then pointed out on the video replay that, after turning for home, Mr Weaver used his whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion, he alleged, in “four or five rather forceful strikes”, prior to returning to a compliant style in the closing stages. Mr Weaver confirmed that he accepted Mr McIntyre’s description of his whip use.

The Adjudicative Committee noted that SHADOW CREEK finished in 8th placing in the 10-horse field.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Stewards believed that the breach sat in the mid-range, Mr McIntyre said. He added that Mr Weaver would prefer a suspension to a fine, in which case he submitted that a 2-days suspension was appropriate, in line with the Penalty Guide. Mr Weaver confirmed. He added that he had a notified drive at the meeting of Banks Peninsula TC on 15 February.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Adjudicative Committee noted that Mr Weaver has had three drives in the current season and, in the 2025 season, he had four drives.

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) provides a starting point for penalty for a mid-level, first breach of a “$500 fine or 2-days suspension”. A “mid-level breach” is defined as when “the driver inadvertently uses the old whipping style for approximately 50 metres or more before returning to a compliant style”.  The Adjudicative Committee clearly sees this particular breach as being mid-level within that definition. There were eight non-compliant strikes, early in the run home, some delivered with a degree of force.

Mr Weaver confirmed that his preference was for a term of suspension, rather than a monetary penalty.

There are no relevant aggravating or mitigating factors to be considered.

CONCLUSION:

Open Driver Brent Weaver, is suspended from after the close of racing on 15 February 2026, up to and including 22 February 2026 – 2 days.