Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 26 October 2024 – R9 – Wiremu Pinn

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 9, Sothys Spring Classic, Class A Jockey, Wiremu Pinn, admitted a charge that, as the Rider of FELLINI in the race, he struck his mount 8 times prior to the 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).

EVIDENCE:

Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, showed a video replay of the final 300 metres of the race. The replay showed runners spread across the track with FELLINI, ridden by Mr Pinn, the second runner from the inside.  Mr Oatham pointed out Mr Pinn draw his whip and strike his mount eight times prior to the 100 metres. There were no further strikes inside the final 100 metres, Mr Oatham said.

Mr Pinn accepted Mr Oatham’s evidence regarding the number of strikes. He told the Adjudicative Committee that he had mistakenly believed that it did not matter how many times he used his whip prior to the 100 metres, provided that he did not use it more than 10 times in total prior to the finishing line. He had not used his whip at all inside the final 100 metres, he said.

The Rule was explained to Mr Pinn by the Adjudicative Committee and Mr Oatham.

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), prior to receiving a further fine of $500 for a breach of the Rule (7 strikes) earlier in Race 3 at today’s meeting.

As a third breach, the Penalty Guide starting point is a “suspension 5+ national riding days”. Mr Oatham said. Stewards did not see that there were any aggravating factors. He drew the Adjudicative Committee’s attention to the fact that Mr Pinn is about to commence a suspension after racing on 28 October.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

This was the third breach by Mr Pinn for using his whip more than the permitted 5 times prior to the 100 metres. He has admitted the breach, but maintained that he had not understood the Rule, and that misunderstanding was shared by many of his Jockey colleagues, he claimed.

The RIB Thoroughbred Penalty Guide (March 2024) suggests a penalty for a third breach of the rule involving three additional strikes of a “Suspension 5+ National Days”. The Adjudicative Committee sees no need to depart from that suggested penalty in this instance.

There are no aggravating factors and, having regard to the totality of whip use, a penalty of a 5-days suspension is an appropriate penalty

CONCLUSION:

Class A Jockey, Wiremu Pinn’s Licence to ride in races is suspended from 11 November 2024 to 17 November 2024, both dates inclusive – 5 national riding days.