Waikato BOP H 9 January 2025 – R6 – Maurice McKendry
ID: RIB50519
Animal Name:
CON GRAZIA LOVE
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
09/01/2025
Race Club:
Waikato BOP Harness Racing Inc
Race Location:
Cambridge Raceway - 1 Taylor Street, Cambridge, 3434
Race Number:
R6
Hearing Date:
09/01/2025
Hearing Location:
Cambridge Raceway
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Driver Maurice McKendry is suspended for 3 days
Summary of Facts:
Following the running of Race 6, the Cambridge Trotters Flying Stakes, Respondent M McKendry admitted a breach of Whip Rule 869(2). The particulars of the charge are that he used his whip free of the rein rounding the final turn.
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 Mulcay used available video footage to demonstrate the breach. He identified Mr McKendry driving CON GRAZIA LOVE and showed the Adjudicative Committee that just prior to the 400m, Mr McKendry reached forward, pulled the plugs and struck his mount with his whip with his hand being free of the rein.
Mr McKendry made no comment on the incident.
Decision:
The charge is admitted and therefore proved.
Submissions for Penalty:
Mr Mulcay produced Mr McKendry’s record, which was clear.
Mr Mulcay said that a whip breach in a Group 3 Race had a starting point of a 3 day suspension.
Mr McKendry indicated that he didn’t contest any of the submissions put forward by Mr Mulcay and confirmed he was a North Island Driver, with any proposed suspension to start immediately.
Reasons for Penalty:
The Penalty Guidelines point to a 3 day starting point for a whip breach in a Group 3 Race. Having viewed the video evidence and listened to the submissions of both the Stewards and Mr McKendry, the Adjudicative Committee saw no reason to deviate from the starting point and issued a penalty of 3 days.
Conclusion:
Mr McKendry is suspended for 3 days, to commence after racing on 9 January 2025 and conclude after racing on 27 January 2025.
The meetings included in the suspension are:
Cambridge 17/1/25
Cambridge 24/1/25
Cambridge 27/1/25
Decision Date: 09/01/2025
Publish Date: 13/01/2025