Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 15 May 2025 – R2 – Toni Davies
ID: RIB55248
Animal Name:
Giannis
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
15/05/2025
Race Club:
Canterbury Jockey Club
Race Location:
Riccarton Park - 165 Racecourse Road, Christchurch,
Race Number:
R2
Hearing Date:
15/05/2025
Hearing Location:
Riccarton Park, Christchurch
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Class B Jockey, Toni Davies, is fined $500
Following the running of Race 2, Speight’s Summit Ultra On Tap Rating 60, Class B Jockey, Toni Davies, admitted a charge that, as the Rider of GIANNIS in the race, she “struck her mount 7 times prior to the 100 metres, with a further 5 strikes inside the final 100 metres”.
Ms Davies, an Apprentice Jockey, was assisted at the hearing by Jason Laking, Apprentice Jockey Mentor.
Rule 638 provides:
(g) Subject to the other requirements this Rule 638(3), in a Flat Race or trial (including jump-outs and/or tests for certification purposes), a Rider must not:
(i) except as provided for in (iii) (A) and (iii) (B) of this sub-Rule, strike a horse with a whip more than 5 times prior to the 100-metre mark (other than in a slapping motion down the shoulder with the whip hand remaining on the reins).
(iii) it shall not be a contravention of (i) of this sub-Rule if:
- A Rider strikes a horse seven times prior to the 100-metre mark, provided that the Rider does not strike the horse more than three times after the 100-metre mark
EVIDENCE:
Stipendiary Steward Mark Davidson, showed video replays of the final 300 metres of the race. He pointed out GIANNIS, ridden by Ms Davies, in the lead as the field turned into the home straight. He pointed out Ms Davies then draw her whip and strike her mount seven times prior to the 100 metres and a further five times from the 100 metres to the finishing line.
Neither Ms Davies nor Mr Laking wished to comment, other than to confirm that the number of strikes alleged by Mr Davidson was agreed.
DECISION:
The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.
SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:
Mr Davidson said that Ms Davies’ record showed one previous breach – on 3 May 2025 at Riccarton, fined $300 (7 strikes before the 100 metres).
As a second breach, the Penalty Guide starting point is a $500 fine, Mr Davidson said. There are no aggravating factors, he said.
REASONS FOR PENALTY:
This was a second breach by Ms Davies for using her whip more than the permitted 5 times prior to the 100 metres. It was a low-level breach, being only two strikes over and the strikes were not forceful. She has made a very frank admission of the breach.
The RIB Thoroughbred Penalty Guide (February 2025) suggests a penalty for a second breach of the Rule of a $500 fine. The Adjudicative Committee sees no need to depart from that suggested penalty in this instance.
CONCLUSION :
Class B Jockey, Toni Davies, is fined $500.
Decision Date: 15/05/2025
Publish Date: 19/05/2025