Waikato BOP H 10 July 2025 – R1 – John Kriechbaumer
ID: RIB56853
Animal Name:
Midfrew Lucre
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
10/07/2025
Race Club:
Waikato BOP Harness Racing Inc
Race Location:
Cambridge Raceway - 1 Taylor Street, Cambridge, 3434
Race Number:
R1
Hearing Date:
10/07/2025
Hearing Location:
Cambridge Raceway
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Driver John Kriechbaumer is suspended for one month
Summary of Facts:
Following the running of Race 1, the Respondent John Kriechbaumer admitted a breach of Whip Rule 869(2). The particulars of the charge are that he used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.
Rule 869 provides that:
(2) No Driver shall during any race use a whip in a manner in contravention of the Use of the Whip Regulations made by the Board.
Stipendiary Steward Mr Renault used available video footage to demonstrate the breach. During the run home, on three occasions he used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion, noting that these were spaced, before the Respondent returned to a compliant action.
In response, the Respondent did not contest the Steward’s evidence.
Decision:
The charge is admitted and therefore proved.
Submissions for Penalty:
Mr Renault produced the Respondent Mr Kreichbaumer’s record, which indicated he has had limited drives as an Amateur Driver with no breaches of this Rule in the past 2 months.
Mr Renault said that Stewards assessed the breach to be low-level and submitted that it be dealt with by way of a $300 fine or two-day suspension, stating further that for an Amateur Driver, a two-day suspension is equivalent to a one calendar month suspension.
The Respondent submitted that he preferred a suspension over a fine.
Reasons for Penalty:
After consideration of the evidence from all parties concerned and viewing the race films of the concluding stages of the race, the Adjudicative Committee assessed the breach as low-level.
A low-level breach is defined as when a Driver inadvertently reverts to the old style (freehand, loose reining and or more than a flicking motion), but promptly takes corrective action to return to a compliant style.
A Low-level Penalty has a starting point of a $300 fine or a two-day suspension (first offence).
In terms of penalty, the Respondent submitted he accepted a suspension of one calendar month.
Having considered all factors, the Adjudicative Committee deemed a suspension to be an appropriate penalty.
Conclusion:
The Respondent is suspended for a period of one calendar month, commencing on 11 July 2025 and concluding on 10 August 2025.
Decision Date: 10/07/2025
Publish Date: 11/07/2025