Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 18 November 2023 – R1 – Samantha Wynne

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 1, Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Premier, Class A Jockey, Samantha Wynne, admitted a breach of Rule 638(3)(g)(i) in that, as the Rider of KING COUGAR in the race, she “struck her mount six times prior to the 100 metres with a further five inside the 100 metres”.

Rule 638 provide as follows:

(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 six times prior to the 100-metre mark, provided that the Rider does not strike the horse more than four times after the 100-metre mark.

EVIDENCE:

Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, showed a video replay of the final 300 metres of the race. He pointed out KING COUGAR, ridden by the Respondent, racing 4-wide near the lead as the field turned into the final straight. He then showed that the Respondent struck her mount with the whip six times from that point to the 100 metres, and a further five times inside the final 100 metres of the race (a total of 11 strikes).

The Respondent accepted the number of strikes and explained that she was on the point of putting her whip away but her mount kept giving and she felt obliged to keep trying.

DECISION:

The breach having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Oatham said that the Respondent has two previous breaches of the Whip Rule on her record, both involving seven strikes prior to the 100 metres – at Otago on 19 October 2023 (fined $250) and at Ashburton on 22 October 2023 (fined $500).

Mr Oatham referred to the Penalty Guide which provides for a penalty of a fine of $500 for a third breach involving one additional strike. There were no aggravating features, he said, and a fine of $500 would be an appropriate penalty.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Adjudicative Committee noted the provisions of the RIB Thoroughbred Penalty Guide (February 2023). That suggests a starting point for a third breach of six strikes prior to the 100 metres, of a $500 fine. There are no relevant aggravating or mitigating factors to be considered.

CONCLUSION:

Class A Jockey, Samantha Wynne is fined $500.