Rangiora HRC 1 March 2026 – R2 – Colin DeFilippi

Following the running of Race 2, Rangiora Hockey – Thanks For Your Assistance Trot, Open Driver, Colin DeFilippi, admitted a breach of the Whip Rules in that, as the Driver of ALDEBARAN REDWOOD in the race, he “used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home”.

Rule 869 provides:

(2)  No driver shall during any race use a whip in a manner in contravention of the Use of the Whip Regulations made by the Board.

 The Whip and Rein Regulations provide:

3.1     A driver may only apply the whip in a wrist only flicking motion whilst holding a rein in each hand with the tip of the whip pointed forward in an action which does not engage the shoulder.

 3.2     For the purposes of clause 3.1, “wrist only flicking motion” means:

 3.2.1    Ensuring no force is generated by the use of the elbow or shoulder when applying the whip.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward Shane Renault, showed a video replay of the final 200 metres of the race. He pointed out ALDEBARAN REDWOOD, driven by Mr DeFilippi, improving 4-wide as the field approached the home turn.

He then pointed out Mr DeFilippi, shortly after turning for home, unsuccessfully attempt to activate the removable deafeners and then use his whip twice in more than a wrist only flicking motion, raising his arm above his shoulder. After a pause, he then used his whip again on two occasions in more than a wrist only flicking motion, before reverting to a compliant style to the finishing line, Mr Renault said.

Mr DeFilippi accepted Mr Renault’s version of what happened.

The Adjudicative Committee noted that ALDEBARAN REDWOOD finished in 5th placing, 2 lengths behind the winner of the race.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Renault said that Mr DeFilippi has had 14 drives this season (130 in the 2025 season) and has a clear record under the Whip Rules over the last 2 months. He received a warning on 19 February, two drives ago.

Mr Renault then referred to the Penalty Guide starting point for a first, low-level breach – a 2-days suspension or a $300 fine. Stewards were submitting that was an appropriate penalty in this case, Mr Renault said.

Mr DeFilippi told the Adjudicative Committee that he would prefer a term of suspension over a fine. He said that any suspension could start immediately. He did not intend to accept drives at the upcoming Westport or Reefton Meetings on 6 and 8 March, he said.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) provides a starting point for penalty for a first, low-level breach of a $300 fine or a 2-days suspension.

The Adjudicative Committee agreed with Mr Renault that the breach was low-level (“the driver inadvertently uses the old whipping style before promptly returning to the compliant style”) and found that there were no relevant aggravating or mitigating factors.

CONCLUSION:

Mr DeFilippi’s Open Driver’s Licence is suspended from after the close of racing on 1 March 2026, up to and including 15 March 2025 – 2 days. The two days intended to be encompassed by the period of suspension are NZ Metropolitan TC on 13 March and Banks Peninsula TC on 15 March 2026.