R Te Aroha 1 August 2021 – R4 – Kelly Joyce
ID: RIB3798
Animal Name:
THAT'S HOW IT GOES
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
01/08/2021
Race Club:
Racing Te Aroha
Race Location:
Te Aroha Racecourse - Stanley Road South, Te Aroha,
Race Number:
R4
Hearing Date:
01/08/2021
Hearing Location:
Te Aroha Racecourse
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Jockey Kelly Joyce fined $300
Evidence:
This charge arises from the running of Race 4, an Open Steeplechase over 3500m. An Information was filed pursuant to Rule 638 (3)(b)(ii) by the Informant, Mr Brady Jones, alleging that Class D Rider Ms Kelly Joyce used her whip in consecutive strides when riding THAT’S HOW IT GOES.
Ms Joyce said that she understood the Rule and confirmed that she admitted the breach.
Rule 638(3)(b)(ii) provides:
A Rider shall not strike a horse with a whip in a manner or to an extent which is:
(i) unnecessary, or
(ii) excessive, or
(iii) improper
Without affecting the generality of Rule 638(3)(b), a rider may be penalised if their whip use is outside of the following guidelines:
Hurdle and Steeplechase races
Prior to the 100-metre mark in a race, official trial or Schooling event:
(i) The whip should not be used on more than 10 occasions.
(ii) The whip should not be used in consecutive strides.
(iii) The rider may at their discretion use the whip with a slapping motion down the shoulder, with the whip hand remaining on the reins.
In the final 100 metres’, the whip may be used at the Rider’s discretion but not in consecutive strides.
Using available race film footage Mr Jones demonstrated the breach. He identified Ms Joyce’s mount, THAT’S HOW IT GOES, and showed Ms Joyce striking her mount on 3 consecutive occasions, just after the last jump and also 5 consecutive occasions just prior to the finish line.
Ms Joyce provided no comment in relation to the breach.
Decision
As Ms Joyce admitted the breach the Committee found the charge proved.
Submissions For Penalty
Mr Jones said that Ms Joyce was Class D Rider in her first season of riding, and that she had limited opportunities. He said that the Committee may wish to consider a discount from the starting point of $300 given these factors.
Ms Joyce had no comment in regard to penalty submissions.
Reasons For Penalty
The Guidelines propose a starting point of $300 for a first breach. We considered the Stipendiary Steward’s comments in regard to a potential discount due to Ms Joyce’s riding status and that it is her first season of riding, however, on balance, deemed this to be inappropriate given that Ms Joyce had used her whip consecutively on 2 separate occasions within the race.
The Committee noted that while the strikes were consecutive they were not particularly forceful.
Conclusions:
Jockey Kelly Joyce is fined $300.
Decision Date: 01/08/2021
Publish Date: 02/08/2021