Reefton TC 30 December 2025 – R4 – Bob Butt

Following the running of Race 4, Paul Cutbush Memorial Pace, Open Driver, Bob Butt, admitted a breach of the Whip Rules in that, as the Driver of ULTIMATUM in the race, he “used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the home straight”.

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 200-300 metres of the race. He pointed out ULTIMATUM, driven by Mr Butt, having trailed the leader, take the passing lane as the field turned into the final straight.

Mr Renault then pointed out on the video replay, that Mr Butt used his whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion on four clear occasions, he alleged, prior to the 100 metres, prior to returning to a compliant style in the closing stages.

The Adjudicative Committee noted that ULTIMATUM finished in 2nd placing in the 10-horse field.

Mr Butt accepted Mr Renault’s assessment and did not wish to comment.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Renault said that Mr Butt has had 338 drives in the current season. He has a previous breach of the Whip Rules on his record – fined $300 at Westport TC on 28 December last, for using his whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion (low-level breach). Stewards saw the present breach as being low-level, he said.

Mr Renault then referred to the Penalty Guide starting point for a low-level, second breach of a 3-days suspension. He submitted that would be an appropriate penalty for the breach.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) provides a starting point for penalty for a low-level, second breach of a 3-days suspension. A “low-level breach” is defined as “when the driver inadvertently uses the old whipping style before promptly returning to the compliant style”.  The Adjudicative Committee clearly sees this particular breach as being low-level within that definition. There were only four non-compliant strikes, early in the run home, not delivered with any degree of force.

There are no relevant aggravating or mitigating factors to be considered.

CONCLUSION:

Open Driver, Bob Butt, is suspended from after the close of racing on 30 December 2025, up to and including 7 January 2026 – 3 days.