Waikato BOP H 30 January 2023 – R7 – Logan Hollis
ID: RIB15116
Animal Name:
Bet West
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
30/01/2023
Race Club:
Waikato BOP Harness Racing Inc
Race Location:
Cambridge Raceway - 1 Taylor Street, Cambridge, 3434
Race Number:
R7
Hearing Date:
30/01/2023
Hearing Location:
Cambridge Raceway, Cambridge
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Driver, Logan Hollis, fined $200
BACKGROUND:
Following the running of Race 7, Dunstan Horsefeeds Gold Cup Final Handicap Pace, the Respondent, Logan Hollis, admitted a breach of Rule 869(2) in that, as the Driver of BET WEST in the race, he used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.
Rule 869 provides:
(2)Â 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.
The Whip and Rein Regulations provide:
3.1Â A driver may only apply the whip in a wrist only flicking motion whilst holding a rein in each hand with the tip of the whip pointed forward in an action which does not engage the shoulder.
EVIDENCE:
Senior Stipendiary Steward, Steve Mulcay, showed a video replay of the final 200 metres of the race. He pointed out BET WEST, driven by the Respondent, racing three places back on the markers as the field turned into the home straight. Mr Mulcay said that, shortly thereafter, the Respondent commenced to drive his horse out, but did so using more than a wrist only flicking motion on several occasions. He then corrected himself and, consequently, Stewards classified the breach as low-level, Mr Mulcay said.
The Respondent accepted that he had been in breach of the Regulations, but stressed that he did revert to a compliant style after a short distance.
The Adjudicative Committee noted that the Respondent had 53 drives in the 2022 season and in the current season has had 3 drives.
DECISION:
The breach is admitted and is therefore deemed proved.
SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:
Mr Mulcay said that, the breach being low-level, a fine of $200 was appropriate, as per the Penalty Guide.
The Respondent did not wish to make any submission.
REASONS FOR PENALTY:
The Adjudicative Committee was satisfied that the breach was clearly low-level within the definition in the HRNZ Whip Penalty Guide – “when a driver inadvertently reverts to the old style (freehand, loose-reining and/or more than a flicking motion) but promptly takes corrective steps to return to a compliant style”.
For a first offence, the Penalty Guide suggests a penalty range of a $200-$400 fine. A fine at the lower end of that range is appropriate for this breach.
CONCLUSION:
The Respondent, Driver Logan Hollis, is fined $200.
Decision Date: 30/01/2023
Publish Date: 01/02/2023