Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 26 October 2024 – R3 – Wiremu Pinn

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 3, Commodore Hotel Rating 75, Class A Jockey, Wiremu Pinn, admitted a charge that, as the Rider of MALMAISON in the race, he struck his mount 7 times prior to the 100 metres, with a further 4 strikes inside the final 100 metres.

Rule 638 provides:

(g) Subject to the other requirements of 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).

    (ii)  it shall not be a contravention of (i) of this sub-Rule if:

 (B)   a Rider strikes a horse seven times prior to the 100-metre mark, provided that Rider does not strike the horse more than 3 times after the 100-metres mark.

EVIDENCE:

Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, showed a video replay of the final 200 metres of the race. He pointed out MALMAISON, ridden by Mr Pinn, about to challenge for the lead  approaching the 200 metres. Mr Oatham pointed out Mr Pinn draw his whip and strike his mount seven times prior to the 100 metres and a further four times from the 100 metres to the finishing line.

Mr Pinn accepted Mr Oatham’s evidence regarding the number of strikes. He added that the video clearly showed he had breached the Rule.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Oatham said that Mr Pinn’s record shows one previous charge – at Riccarton on 31 August 2024 – fined $250 (7 strikes before the 100 metres).

As a second breach, the Penalty Guide starting point is a $500 fine. The Adjudicative Committee may consider the fact that Mr Pinn won the race to be an aggravating factor, Mr Oatham said. However, there was only strike over the total permitted strikes, he said.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

This was the second breach by Mr Pinn for using his whip more than the permitted 5 times prior to the 100 metres. It was a low-level breach, being only one strike over the total permitted strikes. He has made a very frank admission of the breach.

The RIB Thoroughbred Penalty Guide (March 2024) suggests a penalty for a second breach of the Rule involving two additional strikes of a $500 fine. The Adjudicative Committee sees no need to depart from that suggested penalty in this instance. Although Mr Pinn’s mount won the race, the breach was low-level and a fine of $500 as per the Penalty Guide is a sufficient penalty

CONCLUSION:

Class A Jockey, Wiremu Pinn, is fined $500.