Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 10 August 2022 – R6 – Megan Taylor

ID: RIB10554

Respondent(s):
Megan Taylor - Apprentice Jockey

Applicant:
Mr Mark Davidson, Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Mr S Ching (Chair), Mr R McKenzie

Persons Present:
Mr Davidson, Ms Taylor, Mr D Walsh, NZTR Apprentice Jockey Mentor

Information Number:
A21459

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Breach of whip Rule

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

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
SOMBRA DEAMOR

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
10/08/2022

Race Club:
Canterbury Jockey Club

Race Location:
Riccarton Park - 165 Racecourse Road, Christchurch,

Race Number:
R6

Hearing Date:
10/08/2022

Hearing Location:
Riccarton Park

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Apprentice Jockey, Megan Taylor fined $250

EVIDENCE:

Following the running of Race 6, the Respondent, Apprentice Jockey Ms Megan Taylor admitted a charge alleging that she used her whip with her arm raised above shoulder height when riding SOMBRE DEAMOR over the concluding stages.

Apprentice Mentor, Mr David Walsh was present to assist.

Rule 638(3)(f) provides that a Rider must not use his or her whip:

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

Using the available video replays, Mark Davidson, demonstrated that the Respondent struck her mount on 2 occasions approaching the 100-metre mark using an action with the whip that raised her arm above shoulder height.

Mr Walsh and the Respondent both accepted the allegation of using the whip on 2 occasions with an action that was above shoulder height.

DECISION:

As the Respondent, Ms Megan Taylor has admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Davidson produced the Respondent, Miss Taylor’s record, which indicated no previous breaches of this particular Whip Rule within the last 6 months.

Mr Davidson stated that there was no Starting Point for a breach of this particular Rule in the Penalty Guidelines but submitted that a starting point $250 as per the starting point for a low range breach with excessive use of the whip.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

This Adjudicative Committee, after taking into consideration the fact that this was Miss Taylor’s 1st breach adopted the starting point of a $250 fine. There were no aggravating factors to consider therefore no uplift in penalty warranted. It was therefore determined that a $250 fine was an appropriate penalty on this occasion.

A fine of $250 is imposed.

CONCLUSION:

The Respondent is fined the sum of $250.

Decision Date: 10/08/2022

Publish Date: 14/08/2022