Racing Te Aroha 22 June 2025 – R2 – Joshua Parker

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 2, Class D Jockey, Mr J Parker, as the Rider of GEORGIAN WARRIOR in the race, admitted a breach of the Whip Rules in that he “used his whip with an action that raised his arm above shoulder height”.

Rule 638(3)(f)(ii) provides:

(f)      Without limiting the generality of subrule 638(3)(e), in a Flat Race or Jumping Race, a trial (including jump-outs and/or tests for certification purposes) a Rider must not use his or her whip:

(ii) using an action that raises the Rider’s arm above shoulder height.

 EVIDENCE:

Trainee Stipendiary Steward, Ms K Jillings, showed a video replay of the final 300 metres of the Race. She pointed out, GEORGIAN WARRIOR, ridden by the Respondent, where he used his whip, on four occasions, clearly in an action that raised his right arm above shoulder height and applied with force. There were two occasions prior to the final fence, a third time at the 100 metre point and a fourth and final time at the 75 metre point.

The Respondent admitted the alleged offending.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Dooley said that the Respondent has a clear record for this part of the Whip Rule.

The Penalty Guide provides a starting point of a $250 fine for a first breach, Mr Dooley submitted that an uplift should be applied given the number and force of the strikes. He noted a flat rider was recently fined $450 for 5 strikes above shoulder.

The Respondent had no comment to make regarding penalty.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The breach involved the whip being used forcefully four times with the arm clearly raised above shoulder height.

The RIB Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide (February 2023) provides a starting point for a first, mid-level offence of a $250 fine. It is an aggravating factor that there were four strikes and the whip was used forcefully. An uplift to the starting point was applied for that factor. The starting point of $250 would deal with the first strike, the Adjudicative Committee determined that an uplift to $400 was justified in view of the 3 further strikes and the force applied.

After considering all the circumstances the Adjudicative Committee determined a fine of $400 was appropriate for this breach.

CONCLUSION:

Class D rider, Mr J Parker is fined $400.