Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 31 August 2024 – R6 – Leah Hemi

Evidence

Following the running of Race 6, the Respondent Class A Rider, Leah Hemi admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres.

Miss Hemi acknowledged she understood the Rule under which she was being charged and confirmed that the breach was admitted.

Rule 638(3)(g)(i) provides that in a Flat Race a Rider must not:

(i) 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); or

Using the available race films, Chief Stipendiary Steward John Oatham, with the assistance of Stipendiary Steward Rebecca Haley, demonstrated that the Respondent struck her mount 6 times from near the home turn to the 100-metre mark. He added that Miss Hemi used her whip on a further 6 occasions inside the 100m to the post, which excluded her from the preset exemptions under the Penalty Guide.

Miss Hemi did not dispute the number of strikes and that the long straight and the fact that she had started using the whip just prior to entering the home straight, were factors in the breach.

Decision

As the Respondent Miss Hemi admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).

Submissions for Penalty

Mr Oatham produced the Respondent Miss Hemi’s record, which indicated a previous breach at Riccarton on 13 April, where she received a $500 for 6 strikes followed by a further 5 strikes.

Mr Oatham stated the Penalty Guide for a second breach of excessive whip use for 1 additional strike was a $250 fine and submitted that a fine commensurate with the Penalty Guide be considered as penalty.

Reasons for Penalty

The Penalty Guide starting point for a breach of this nature is set out below.

For breaches of the Whip Rule prior to the 100m mark:

2nd offence starting point $250 fine where there is 1 additional strike

This Adjudicative Committee determined that there were no aggravating factors to consider.

It was therefore determined that an appropriate penalty in this case was a $250 fine.

Conclusion

The Respondent Miss Hemi is fined the sum of $250.