Otago RC 1 December 2024 – R3 – Brendon May
ID: RIB48982
Animal Name:
BEAUJOLAIS
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
01/12/2024
Race Club:
Otago Racing Club
Race Location:
Cromwell Racecourse - Wanaka- Queenstown Highway, Cromwell,
Race Number:
R3
Hearing Date:
01/12/2024
Hearing Location:
Cromwell
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Jockey Brandon May is suspended for 5 days
Mr Davidson alleged that in Race 3, Mr May struck his mount BEAUJOLAIS 8 times prior to the 100 metres and a further one time after.
Miss Haley demonstrated on the videos, that the Respondent was racing towards the rear of the field as the field rounded the home bend. He was wide on the track, making good ground, and he used his whip 8 times prior to the 100 metres. There were 2 strikes on the bend and then a further 6 in the straight prior to the 100 metres. Mr Davidson added there was a further strike after the 100 metres.
Mr May agreed with the Stewards’ count. He commented that BEAUJOLAIS was not wanting to run around the bend. The horse was reluctant to keep moving forward and he had had to hit her to get momentum. When he saw the 100 metres mark, he thought he had put the whip away, but he had erred by giving the horse a further strike some 20 metres before the 100 metres. He had not been counting the strikes.
Mr Davidson responded the Stewards could not condone the whip being used in breach of the Rules to improve the horse. He believed Mr May had used the whip too early.
DecisionÂ
As Mr May has admitted the breach, it is found to be proved.
Submissions as to Penalty
Mr Davidson produced the Respondent’s record, which evidenced 1 breach of this Rule in the past 6 months. This breach was on 5 November at Wingatui. The number of strikes on that occasion was 9. The penalty imposed was a 6-day suspension.
Mr May confirmed his record and commented the previous breach was with respect to the same horse. He stated he had a forthcoming engagement and wished the suspension to start after racing on the 7th of this month.
Reasons for penalty
The Penalty Guide provides a 5-day starting point for a 2nd breach where the count is 8 strikes. The appropriate penalty having regard to record, number of strikes, and the fact the Respondent’s mount finished 4th, is 5 days.
Conclusion
Mr May is suspended from the end of racing on 7 December, up to and including 14 November 2024. This is 5 National Riding Days.
Decision Date: 01/12/2024
Publish Date: 04/12/2024