Waikato BOP H 4 April 2025 – R10 – Neita Balle
ID: RIB53446
Animal Name:
CONRAD H
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
04/04/2025
Race Club:
Waikato BOP Harness Racing Inc
Race Location:
Cambridge Raceway - 1 Taylor Street, Cambridge, 3434
Race Number:
R10
Hearing Date:
04/04/2025
Hearing Location:
Cambridge Raceway
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Junior Driver Neita Balle is suspended for 4 days
Summary of Facts:
Following the running of Race 10, the Respondent Junior Driver N Balle admitted a breach of Whip Rule 869(2). The particulars of the charge are that she used her whip in a continuous manner in the run home.
Mr D Balle was present to assist Junior Driver N Balle.
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 S Renault used available video footage to demonstrate the breach. He said that N Balle entered the straight as the widest runner and used her whip in a continuous manner in the run home until approximately the 50m mark.
Ms Balle said that she was driving a lazy horse and simply forgot about the Whip Guidelines, only remembering late in the race.
Decision:
The charge is admitted and therefore proved.
Submissions for Penalty:
Mr McIntyre produced the Respondent’s record, which indicated a previous breach on the 4th of March, which resulted in a 2 day suspension. The Stewards advised that Ms Balle had 4 drives since her previous breach.
Mr McIntyre said that Stewards assessed the breach to be mid-range and submitted that it be dealt with by way of a suspension as per the Penalty Guidelines.
Ms Balle indicated she would take any suspension immediately.
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 mid-range, Ms Balle used her whip in a continuous manner for approximately 100-125m. While the strikes were not forceful, they were delivered with no respite.
The Penalty Guidelines point to a 4-day suspension for a mid-range breach 2nd offence of the Whip & Rein Regulations.
Having considered the aforementioned factors, the Adjudicative Committee determined that an appropriate penalty be that of a 4 day suspension.
While the Adjudicative Committee had regard for Ms Balle’s relative inexperience and admission of the breach, the Adjudicative Committee viewed the fact that the previous breach had only occurred 4 drives previously, as an aggravating factor.
Conclusion:
Ms Balle is suspended for 4 days.
11/4 – ATC
15/4 – WBOP
17/4 – ATC
22/4 – WBOP
Decision Date: 04/04/2025
Publish Date: 08/04/2025