Southland RC 3 April 2022 – R1 – Corey Campbell

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 1 the Ascot Sports Bar Handicap, the Respondent Corey Campbell admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres.

Rule 638(3)(g)(i) provides:  that in a flat race a Rider must not;

(i) strike a horse with a whip more than five times prior to the 100m mark (other than a slapping motion down shoulder with the whip hand remaining on the reins).

Mr Campbell confirmed he understood the Rule at the outset of the hearing.

Using the available films, Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson demonstrated that the Respondent struck his mount 8 times from the 600 metre mark to the 100 metre mark. He pointed out that the horse OLAF appeared to be battling at the 600 metre mark but still finished off the race in second placing with a nose back to the third horse.

The Respondent Mr Campbell said that he had simply made an error of judgement.

Decision:

As the Respondent Mr Campbell admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved Rule 915(1)(D).

Submissions For Penalty:

Mr Davidson produced the Respondent Mr  Campbell’s record, which indicated 2 previous breaches being Riccarton 10 November 2021 (5 day suspension) and Riccarton 25 February 2022 (6 day suspension).

Stewards assessed the breach as mid range with the aggravating factor being that this was Mr Campbell’s third breach of the Rule in the past six months. Stewards submitted a penalty of five to six days may be appropriate.

The Respondent Mr Campbell stated in his submissions of penalty that he was likely to be riding the favourite in the Riverton Cup on Easter Saturday which was a meeting that carried high stakes throughout the day.

Mr Campbell sought a deferment to any proposed suspension to fulfil his engagements on 9th April 2022.

Reasons For Penalty:

The Penalty Guide starting point which came into force on 1st March 2022, states a third offence of using the whip more than five times prior to the 100m mark, a suspension of 5+ national days is appropriate.

After considering the film evidence, the submissions and having due regard for the number of strikes, and the fact it was Mr Campbell’s third breach, the Adjudicative Committee determined that an uplift of two days would be appropriate. Mr Campbell’s frank admission of the breach and the fact that he was going to miss a high stakes race day in Riverton warranted a one day decrease in penalty.

Conclusion:

The Respondent Mr Campbell is granted a deferment. His license to ride in races is suspended for six days from a close of racing on 9th April 2022 until the close of racing on 20th April 2022 (six national riding days).