Taumaranui RC 29 July 2023 – R6 – Ngakau Hailey

ID: RIB25647

Respondent(s):
Ngakau Hailey - Apprentice Jockey

Applicant:
Mr C Simpson

Adjudicators:
Mr A Smith (Chair), Mr M Godber

Persons Present:
Mrs Debbie Sweeney assisting Mr Hailey, Mr C Simpson (Stipendiary Steward)

Information Number:
A18975

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Excessive whip use

Rule(s):
638(3)(g)(i) - Contravention whip rule

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
WORDSWORTH

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
29/07/2023

Race Club:
Taumarunui Racing Club

Race Location:
Te Rapa Racecourse - Te Rapa Road, Hamilton, 3200

Race Number:
R6

Hearing Date:
29/07/2023

Hearing Location:
Te Rapa

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Ngakau Hailey - suspended for 5 riding days

Evidence

Following the running of Race 6, the Respondent Ngakau Hailey, Apprentice Rider, admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres.

Apprentice Mentor Mrs Debbie Sweeny was present to assist.

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, Mr C Simpson demonstrated that the Respondent struck his mount 8 times from the straight entrance to the 100-metre mark.

Decision

As the Respondent Mr Ngakau Hailey admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).

Submissions For Penalty

Mr C Simpson produced the Respondent Mr Ngakau Hailey’s record, which indicated this was his second offence in the past 6 months.

Stewards submitted a penalty commensurate with the NZTR Revised Penalty Guide for excessive whip use (as of 1 March 2022).

Reasons For Penalty

The Penalty Guide starting point for a second breach of this nature is a Suspension of 5 National Riding Days.

After considering the film evidence and the submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined there were no compelling reasons to depart from the starting point set out in the Penalty Guide.

As this is the Respondent’s second breach, a suspension of 5 days is imposed.

Conclusion

Mr Hailey has a suspension for a careless riding charge from 29 July until 12 August. Therefore, the 5 day suspension will commence from Sunday 13 August until Wednesday 23 August (inclusive).

Mr Hailey is to seek extra tuition from Mr Harris, the Northern Riding Mentor, regarding his whip use.

Decision Date: 29/07/2023

Publish Date: 31/07/2023