NZ Metro TC 16 April 2022 – R4 – Bob Butt
ID: RIB8599
Animal Name:
MANHATTAN
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
16/04/2022
Race Club:
NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc
Race Location:
Addington Raceway - 75 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington, Christchurch, 8024
Race Number:
R4
Hearing Date:
16/04/2022
Hearing Location:
Addington Raceway, Christchurch
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Driver Bob Butt fined $200
BACKGROUND:
Following the running of Race 4, Dunstan Horsefeeds “Ratto” Showcase Mobile Pace, the Respondent Driver Bob Butt admitted a breach of Whip Rule 869(2). The particulars of the charge are that Mr Butt, as the Driver of MANHATTAN in the race, used his whip with more than a wrist only 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 Whip and Rein 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 the tip of the whip pointed forward in an action which does not engage the shoulder.
EVIDENCE:
Chief Stipendiary Steward, Nigel McIntyre, used a video replay to demonstrate the breach. He pointed out MANHATTAN, driven by Mr Butt, which had improved wide on the track rounding the home turn and was looking for a run between runners. He then pointed out Mr Butt use his whip on four occasions in what, he alleged, was more that a wrist only flicking motion and engaging the elbow. Over the concluding stages, Mr Butt ceased using his whip, the horse eventually finishing in 5th placing.
DECISION:
The charge is admitted and therefore proved.
SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:
Chief Stipendiary Steward, Nigel McIntyre, said that Mr Butt has had 104 drives in the current season to date (from 1 January 2022) and last season had a total of 338 drives. He has a clear record. Stewards believed that the breach was low-level and could be dealt with by way of a fine of $200, he said.
REASONS FOR PENALTY:
The breach was a low-level one. A low-level breach is defined in the HRNZ Whip Penalty Guide effective 1 October 2020 as “when a driver inadvertently reverts to the old style (freehand, loose reining and/or more than a flicking motion) but promptly takes corrective steps to return to a compliant style”. The penalty range specified for such a breach (first offence) is $200-$400. Mr Butt has a clear record. A fine at the lower end of the penalty range is appropriate.
CONCLUSION:
The Respondent is fined $200.
Decision Date: 16/04/2022
Publish Date: 19/04/2022