NZ Metro TC 27 June 2025 – R6 – Bronson Munro

Following the running of Race 6, “Chester’s” Now Open in Sydenham & Rangiora Mobile Pace, Open Driver, Bronson Munro, admitted a breach of the Whip Rules in that, as the Driver of KOTARE RIMU 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 KOTARE RIMU, driven by Mr Munro, racing in the trail behind the leader and eventual winner, HELIUS, as the field turned into the final straight. After turning for home, Mr McIntyre showed, Mr Munro used his whip from the top of the straight in more than a wrist only flicking motion on some five occasions, he alleged, before reverting to a compliant style over the final stages. The strikes were interspersed with some compliant strikes, Mr McIntyre said.

Mr Munro 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 Munro has a previous breach of the Whip Rules on his record – suspended 2 days at Ashburton on 1 June 2025 for using his whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion. Mr McIntyre said that Stewards assessed the present breach as being mid-level.

Mr McIntyre then referred to the Penalty Guide starting point for a mid-level, second breach of a 4-days suspension.

Mr Munro said that any term of suspension could commence immediately. He indicated that he had no notified drives at the Addington meeting on 29 June.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Adjudicative Committee noted that Mr Munro has had 14 drives this season and, in the 2024 season, had 11 drives. He is not a busy Driver.

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) provides a starting point for penalty of a 4-days suspension for a mid-level, second breach. 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 sees this particular breach as being mid-level within that definition.

There are no relevant aggravating or mitigating factors to warrant a departure from the Penalty Guide starting point for a mid-level breach of a 4-days suspension.

CONCLUSION:

Open Driver, Bronson Munro, is suspended from after the close of racing on 27 June 2025, up to and including 13 July 2025 – 4 days.