NZ Metro TC 16 May 2025 – R4 – Chris Butt

Following the running of Race 4, Greg & Leigh Ayers – Canterbury Plains Challenge Series (Final) Mobile Pace, Open Driver, Christopher Anthony Butt, admitted a breach of the Whip Rules in that, as the Driver of LORD MUDRICK 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 LORD MUDRICK, driven by Mr Butt, racing beyond midfield and off the markers, as the field turned into the final straight.

Mr McIntyre pointed out on the video replay that Mr Butt, in the run home, used his whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion on three clear occasions, he alleged. The Adjudicative Committee noted that the strikes were spaced, and Mr Butt did return to a compliant style in the closing stages.

The Adjudicative Committee noted that LORD MUDRICK finished unplaced.

Mr Butt accepted Mr McIntyre’s assessment and did not wish to comment.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr McIntyre said that Mr Butt has a previous breach on his record – at Addington on 15 April, using whip in a continuous manner, suspended 2 days.

Mr McIntyre then referred to the Penalty Guide starting point for a low-level, second breach – 3-days suspension. He submitted that this breach was low-level and that a 3-days suspension would be an appropriate penalty.

Mr Butt requested that any term of suspension commence after the meeting of Timaru HRC on 25 May.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) provides a starting point for penalty for a low-level, second breach, of a 3-days suspension. A “low-level breach” is defined as when the Driver “inadvertently uses the old whipping style before promptly returning to the compliant style”. The Adjudicative Committee sees this particular breach as being low-level within that definition. There were only three non-compliant strikes, which were reasonably spaced.

There are no relevant aggravating or mitigating factors to warrant a departure from the Penalty Guide starting point for a low-level, second breach of a 3-days suspension.

CONCLUSION:

Open Driver, Chris Butt, is suspended from after the close of racing on 25 May 2025, up to and including 6 June 2025 – 3 days.