Wairio TC 18 December 2021 – R5 – Kerryn Tomlinson

Mr Munro alleged that Ms Tomlinson delayed the start when in the wrong position and had to move to the correct starting point.

Mr Munro demonstrated on the videos that Ms Tomlinson had positioned her horse on the outside of the 20-metre line when she should have been one on the second line. The Starter became aware of this and delayed releasing the tapes until Ms Tomlinson had correctly positioned her horse.

Ms Tomlinson acknowledged her mistake but commented she had asked an Assistant Starter whether she was in the correct position, and he had responded in the affirmative. She added she thought there were 9 horses on the front.  All tracks are different.

Mr Munro produced Ms Tomlinson’s record which evidenced no previous breaches of this Rule. She has had 987 lifetime drives. He commented the starting point was a $300 fine but believed a fine of a lesser amount was appropriate.

Ms Tomlinson requested that the fine be as little as was appropriate in the circumstances.

Ms Tomlinson has simply made an error. The delay to the start was a little over a minute and a half whilst her horse was repositioned. She is a busy Junior Driver with no previous breach of this Rule and has admitted the breach. These matters warrant a $100 reduction from the $300 starting point.

Ms Tomlinson is fined the sum of $200.