Oamaru HRC 10 December 2025 – R6 – Charlotte Williamson
ID: RIB61663
Animal Name:
JORDAN ANNE
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
10/12/2025
Race Club:
Oamaru Harness Racing Club
Race Location:
Oamaru Racecourse - Highway 1, Oamaru North, Oamaru, 9494
Race Number:
R6
Hearing Date:
10/12/2025
Hearing Location:
Oamaru
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Driver Charlotte Williamson is suspended for 3 days
Mr Williams alleged that in Race 6, Mrs Williamson (JORDAN ANNE) used her whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.
Mr Renault identified JORDAN ANNE racing midfield as the field turned for home. The horse then made a run towards the outside of the field.
Mr Williams stated that Mrs Williamson had used the whip with more than a wrist flicking motion some 8 times in the home straight. There were a couple of breaks, but some strikes were forceful. It was unclear from the available videos whether Mrs Williamson had returned to a compliant action near the winning post. JORDAN ANNE finished 8th.
Mrs Williamson accepted the Stewards’ analysis of the videos and said she was trying to keep her whip use down. She acknowledged she had reverted to old style whip use and, when she had realised this, she had not used her whip to the same extent in the final stages of the race. She added that JORDAN ANNE was a lazy horse and had been responding.
Decision
As Mrs Williamson has admitted the breach, it is found to be proved.
Submissions as to Penalty
Mr Williams produced the Respondent’s record, which showed that Mrs Williamson has had 13 drives this season. Her record is clear under the Whip Rule. Mr Williams submitted the breach was high-range due to the number and force of the strikes, and the distance over which the whip use was non-compliant, which was in excess of 100 metres.
Mrs Williamson said she did not want a deferment of any suspension and asked that it commence immediately.
Reasons for Penalty
The breach is high-range. Mrs Williamson has admitted to using her whip in breach of the Whip Rule and the Whip and Rein Regulations for some distance in the home straight. Some strikes are quite forceful. The Penalty Guide provides a starting point of a 3-day suspension for a first high range breach. A mitigating factor is that Mrs Williamson has a clear record under this Rule, but this is reflected in the starting point. A penalty at the starting point level is appropriate.
Conclusion
Mrs Williamson is suspended from the end of racing today, up to and including 2 January 2026. This is 3 days.
Decision Date: 10/12/2025
Publish Date: 12/12/2025