Waikato RC 4 September 2021 – R8 – Vinnie Colgan
ID: RIB4450
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
04/09/2021
Race Club:
Waikato Racing Club
Race Location:
Te Rapa Racecourse - Te Rapa Road, Hamilton, 3200
Race Number:
R8
Hearing Date:
04/09/2021
Hearing Location:
Te Rapa Racecourse
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Jockey Vinnie Colgan suspended 5 days and fined $750
SUMMARY OF FACTS:
Following the running of Race 8 (Valachi Downs Foxbridge Plate Group II) Mr Colgan was charged with striking his horse GINO SEVERINI in consecutive strides over the concluding stages (6 times).
EVIDENCE:
Ms Algar showed the film replays which clearly showed Mr Colgan striking his horse with his whip on 6 consecutive strides over the final stages of the event.
Mr Colgan agreed that it was 6 strikes in succession. Mr Colgan added that he did not know that there was such a Rule.
Mr Jones said that as a group he spoke to Riders regarding the new revised Whip Rules at Matamata on 1 September 2021. He said that Mr Colgan was not present. He added that NZTR had on 20 August 2021 emailed all individual Riders with the revised Whip Rules and Penalties. The Association had also been advised.
Mr Colgan said that could be right as he had not opened his emails for some time.
SUBMISSION FOR PENALTY:
Mr Jones said that Mr Colgan had only breached the Whip Rule once in the prior 12 months. He outlined the revised Penalty Guide and submitted that the Committee considered an uplift due to the race being a Group 2 event.
Mr Colgan said that any suspension could start after 9 September 2021.
REASON FOR PENALTY:
The new Penalty Guidelines provide for a starting point of 5 riding days suspension plus 50% of a Rider’s percentage of any prizemoney won.  In round figures Mr Colgan’s earnings were $1000, 50% being $500.
Taking all matters into consideration the Adjudicator determined that 5 riding days suspension, with an uplift for a Group 2 event to a fine of $750 was a suitable penalty.
CONCLUSIONS:
Mr Colgan’s Jockey’s License was suspended from 9 September to 16 September 2021 inclusive and a $750 fine imposed.
Decision Date: 04/09/2021
Publish Date: 07/09/2021