NZ Metro TC 5 October 2023 – R11 – Ross Cameron

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 11, the Respondent Ross Cameron admitted a breach of Whip Rule 869(2) and the Whip & Rein Regulations.  The particulars of the charge are that “when driving FAST ACE he used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home and in a continuous manner”.

Rule 869 provides that:

(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.

Stipendiary Steward Shane Renault used available video footage to demonstrate the breach.  He pointed out Ross Cameron driving FAST ACE in the trail as the field turned for home. Mr Renault showed that Mr Cameron used his whip continuously  for 18 strikes over the final stages, with 10 of those being with more than a wrist flicking motion.

Mr Cameron elected to make no submissions in regard to the breach.

Decision:

The charge is admitted and therefore proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Renault produced the Respondent, Mr Cameron’s record, which indicated 10 April 2023 – 3 day suspension and 18 June 2023 – 3 day suspension, for more than a wrist flicking motion on both occasions and once for continuous.

Mr Renault said that Stewards assessed the breach to be medium level and submitted that it be dealt with by way of a suspension. He submitted that a 4 day suspension be considered as penalty in this case.

The Respondent made no submissions in regard to penalty apart from requesting that any suspension begin as soon as possible. He added that he had declared drives at the Methven Meeting on Sunday 8 October 2023.

Reasons for Penalty:

After consideration of the evidence from all parties concerned and viewing the race films of the concluding stages of the race, the Adjudicative Committee assessed the breach as in the mid to high range and accordingly, adopted a 3 day starting point as per the Penalty Guide.

Mr Cameron’s record is considered an aggravating factor by the Adjudicative Committee and warrants an uplift, which was set at 1 day.

Having considered all factors, the Adjudicative Committee deemed a suspension of 4 days to be an appropriate penalty.

Conclusion:

The Respondent is suspended for a period of 4 days commencing after racing on 8 October 2023 (Methven Meeting), up to and including 23 October 2023.

Relevant meetings encompassed in this period of suspension are Addington -13 October, Oamaru – 15 October, Addington – 20 October and Ashburton – 23 October 2023.