NZ Metro TC 16 February 2024 – R5 (heard 17 February 2024 at Rangiora) – Alana Cameron
ID: RIB39072
Animal Name:
PHILADELPHIA FILLY
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
16/02/2024
Race Club:
NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc
Race Location:
Addington Raceway - 75 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington, Christchurch, 8024
Race Number:
R5
Hearing Date:
17/02/2024
Hearing Location:
Rangiora Raceway
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Junior Driver Alana Cameron is suspended for 5 days
EVIDENCE:
Following the running of Race 5, Stipendiary Steward Mr Shane Renault presented an Information alleging a breach of Rule 869(2) by Junior Driver Miss Alana Cameron.
The Information was opened, adjourned, and heard at Rangiora Raceway, Saturday 17 February 2024.
Ms Cameron stated she was conversant with the Rule, the Charge and confirmed she did admit the breach. Ms Cameron was assisted at the hearing by Open Driver Mr Gavin Smith.
Rule 869(2) Rule 869(2) provides that ‘No driver shall during a race use a whip in a manner in contravention of the Whip and Rein Regulations made by the board’ where the Regulations provide ‘A driver may only apply the whip in a wrist 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’. The Regulations provide definition in respect of wrist only flicking motion.
Mr Renault played the home straight video to identify Miss Cameron finishing wide on the track and pointed to her strike her horse 7 times, which he said was non-compliant. Mr Renault said Miss Cameron has engaged her elbow and generated too much force.
Mr Smith said Miss Cameron’s technique makes the breach look much worse than it is.
Miss Cameron made no submissions.
DECISION:
The Respondent having admitted the breach, it was deemed to be proved.
SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:
Mr Renault stated Miss Cameron has had 14 drives this season and 98 the previous.
He said Miss Cameron incurred a 2-day suspension at Westport on 26 December 2023 and a further 3 days at Blenheim on 19 January 2024 and this breach is Miss Cameron’s 3rd in 20 drives. He said the Stewards viewed this breach as mid-range.
Mr Renault submitted a suspension of no less than 5 days would be appropriate.
Miss Cameron made no submissions on Penalty.
REASONS FOR PENALTY:
The Penalty Guidelines provide a 4-day suspension starting point for a second breach of this Rule. There is no provision for a third breach, which this is. An uplift of 2 days is applied from the 4-day starting point to reflect Miss Cameron’s poor record accumulated in such a short period of time.
The Adjudicative Committee can afford Miss Cameron a day’s discount for her admission, her Junior Driver status, and accordingly, finds a 5-day suspension an appropriate penalty in the circumstances of this case.
CONCLUSION:
Junior Driver Miss Alana Cameron’s Licence to drive in races is suspended from the conclusion of racing today, 17 February 2024, up to and including racing on 6 March 2024.
Decision Date: 17/02/2024
Publish Date: 19/02/2024