Waikouaiti TC 2 February 2025 – R10 – Bradley Williamson
ID: RIB51307
Animal Name:
LORD FANTASY
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
02/02/2025
Race Club:
Waikouaiti Trotting Club
Race Location:
Oamaru Racecourse - Highway 1, Oamaru North, Oamaru, 9494
Race Number:
R10
Hearing Date:
02/02/2025
Hearing Location:
Oamaru
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Driver Bradley Williamson is fined $250
Mr Renault alleged that in Race 10, Mr Williamson (LORD FANTASY) used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.
Mr Williamson denied the charge.
Mr Williams identified on the videos that LORD FANTASY was racing just behind the leading horses as they turned for home. Mr Renault stated that Mr Williamson had used the whip with more than a wrist flicking motion four times early in the home straight. He believed Mr Williamson had used his elbow. Mr Williamson then returned to a compliant action. LORD FANTASY finished out of a dividend bearing position.
Mr Williamson said he had not used his elbow. He said LORD FANTASY was a big horse, and he had had to reach forward and stretch out his arm to make contact with the whip. He believed this made his whip action look worse than it actually was. He questioned whether the strikes were any worse than those of a number of other Drivers in the race. He pointed to these and said he could not see why the Stewards were concerned only with him.
Reasons for Decision
Mr Williamson has used the whip with more than a wrist action on four occasions. The first strike is the most egregious, but there are four strikes in total, that breach the Rules and Regulations, in that there is use of the elbow. The fact other Drivers might also be in breach of the Whip Rule, is no defence to the charge. It transpired that the other Driver whose whip action Mr Williamson highlighted, was in fact warned by the Stewards.
Decision
The breach is found to be proved.
Submissions as to Penalty
Mr Renault produced the Respondent’s record, which showed that Mr Williamson has had 33 drives this season and 273 the last. His record is clear, with his last warning being on 11 December last. Mr Renault submitted the breach was low-range.
Mr Williamson submitted that a small fine was appropriate.
Reasons for Penalty
The breach is low-range. Mr Williamson has used his whip in breach of the Whip Rule and the Whip and Rein Regulations on four occasions. The Penalty Guide provides a starting point of a fine of $300 for a first such breach. Mitigating factors are that Mr Williamson, who is a busy Driver, has a clear record under this Rule since May last year and he returned to a compliant action. A penalty just below the starting point is appropriate.
Conclusion
Mr Williamson is fined the sum of $250.
Decision Date: 02/02/2025
Publish Date: 03/02/2025