Oamaru HRC 9 March 2022 – R6 – Stephen Boyd

Mr Boyd was charged that as the Driver of HEAT SEEKER in Race 6, he used his whip free of the rein in the run home.

Mr McIntyre pointed out on a video replay, HEAT SEEKER , driven by Mr Boyd, racing on the outside at the front of the field at the start of the home straight. Mr Boyd brought the whip down in a strike, before regathering his rein. After this Mr Boyd returned to a compliant style.

REASON FOR DECISION:

Mr Boyd has admitted the charge which is found proved.

SUBMISSION FOR PENALTY:

Mr McIntyre told the Adjudicative Committee that Mr Boyd has had 10 drives this season and 17 the previous. He said that Stewards were recommending a term of suspension of 4 days as the Respondent had been suspended for 3 days at Addington on 9 November last for using the whip free of the rein.

Mr Boyd did not seek a deferment of the penalty.

REASON FOR PENALTY:

This breach was low-level (Driver inadvertently reverts to the old style but promptly takes corrective action to return to a compliant style). There was just one strike. Mr Boyd has previously been suspended some 4 months ago and a further suspension is appropriate.

CONCLUSION:

Mr Boyd is suspended from after the close of racing on 13 March (as Drivers have been declared for the weekend), up to and including 20 March – 3 days. The meetings intended to be encompassed by the period of suspension are Timaru on 16 March, Addington on 18 March, and Banks Peninsula on 20 March.