NZ Metro TC 9 April 2025 – R1 – Jo-ann Buckland-Stevens

INFORMATION A20434:

Following the running of Race 1, IRT. Your Horse. Our Passion. (Amateur Drivers) Mobile Pace, Licensed Advanced Amateur Driver, Jo-ann Buckland-Stevens, admitted a breach of the Whip Rules in that, as the Driver of WATERHOLES ROAD in the race, she “used her whip with more than a wrist flicking motion throughout 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:

Stipendiary Steward, Paul Williams, alleged that Ms Buckland-Stevens had used her whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion on twelve occasions for the duration of the run home. She had been compliant over the last 50-70 metres, he said.

He supported the allegation by showing a video replay of the final 200-300 metres of the race. WATERHOLES ROAD, driven by Ms Buckland-Stevens, had been racing in the trail behind the leader before taking the passing lane and running on to finish in 3rd placing.

Mr Williams said that Stewards categorised the breach as being high-level, the strikes being over the length of the straight and quite forceful.

Ms Buckland-Stevens did not dispute the alleged count and agreed that her arm had been “too high”.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Williams said that Ms Buckland-Stevens has a clear record under the Whip Rules.

He then referred to the Penalty Guide starting point for a high-level, first breach – a 3-days suspension, or 6 weeks in the case of an Amateur Driver. He submitted that this breach was high-level and, therefore, a 3-days suspension was appropriate.

Ms Buckland-Stevens disagreed that the strikes were forceful, and added that the horse had not been marked. She commented that six weeks is a very long time. She did not require a deferment, she said.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) provides a starting point for penalty of a 3-days suspension for a high-level, first breach. A “high-level breach” is defined as when “the driver shows total disregard for the Regulations and does not return to a compliant style”.  The Adjudicative Committee sees this particular breach as being high-level, within that definition, as submitted by Mr Williams. Ms Buckland-Stevens has used her whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion on 11 or 12 occasions, with some degree of force, and over some considerable distance.

Ms Buckland-Stevens has requested that any term of suspension commence immediately. There are no relevant aggravating or mitigating factors to warrant a departure from the Penalty Guide starting point for a high-level breach of a 3-days suspension.

CONCLUSION:

Advanced Amateur Driver, Jo-ann Buckland-Stevens is suspended from after the close of racing on 9 April 2025, up to and including 21 May 2025 – 6 weeks (3 days). The term of suspension, six weeks, is calculated in accordance with the usual “rule of thumb” for Amateur Drivers of one day being equal to two weeks.