Otaki-Maori RC 26 December 2024 – R1- Lily Sutherland

ID: RIB49914

Respondent(s):
Lily Sutherland - Apprentice Jockey

Applicant:
K Jillings

Adjudicators:
N Moffatt and W Gendall

Persons Present:
Ms L Sutherland, Ms K Clapperton, Mr K Coppins

Information Number:
A17770

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Consecutive whip use

Rule(s):
638(3)(g)(ii) - Contravention whip rule

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
NORTHEASTERLY

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
26/12/2024

Race Club:
Otaki-Maori Racing Club

Race Location:
Otaki Racecourse - Te Roto Road, Otaki, 5512

Race Number:
R1

Hearing Date:
26/12/2024

Hearing Location:
Otaki Racecourse

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Apprenticed Jockey Lily Sutherland is fined $450

Evidence

Following the running of Race 1, the Respondent Ms Lily Sutherland, admitted a charge alleging she used her whip in consecutive strides (2) near the 50 metres. Apprentice Mentor Ms Kim Clapperton was present to assist.

Rule 638(3)(g)(ii) provides that in a Flat Race a Rider must not:

(ii) strike a horse with a whip in consecutive strides at any stage of the race.

Using the available race films, Stipendiary Steward Mr Coppins, demonstrated that the Respondent struck her mount 2 times consecutively over the concluding stages of the race.     

Decision

As Ms Sutherland admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submissions for Penalty

Ms Jillings advised that this was Ms Sutherland’s 3rd breach since November, and an aggravating factor was that she won the race. In the past 12 months, Ms Sutherland has had 682 rides.

Ms Sutherland said that although she had 2 recent breaches of this Rule, this was only her third consecutive whip charge since she started riding.

Reasons for Penalty

The Penalty Guide starting point for a 3rd breach involving two consecutive strikes, is a fine of $300. The Adjudicative Committee noted Ms Sutherland’s good record under this Rule over a large number of rides, however whip breaches are not typically mitigated downwards, regardless of a Jockey’s previous record. Ms Sutherland won the race, which is considered an aggravating factor and necessitates an uplift from the starting point. After considering her winning riding fee, the Adjudicative Committee decided an uplift of $150 was appropriate.

The final penalty imposed on Ms Sutherland was a fine of $450.

Conclusion

Ms Sutherland is fined $450.

Decision Date: 26/12/2024

Publish Date: 30/12/2024