Wellington RC 16 March 2024 – R9 – Sam Weatherley
ID: RIB40163
Animal Name:
ZACKERY
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
16/03/2024
Race Club:
Wellington Racing Club
Race Location:
Trentham - 10 Racecourse Rd, Upper Hutt, 5018
Race Number:
R9
Hearing Date:
16/03/2024
Hearing Location:
Trentham Racecourse
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Rider, Sam Weatherley suspended 5 days
Following the running of Race 9, the Respondent Rider, Mr S Weatherley admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres.
Rule 638(3)(g)(i) provides that in a Flat Race a Rider must not:
(i) strike a horse with a whip more than 5 times prior to the 100-metre mark (other than in a slapping motion down the shoulder with the whip hand remaining on the reins); or
Using the available Race films Mr Oatham demonstrated that the Respondent struck his mount 8 times from the straight entrance to prior to the 100 metre mark.
Mr Weatherley confirmed he had used the whip 8 times in total.
Decision
As the Respondent, Mr Weatherley admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.
Submissions For Penalty
Mr Oatham produced Mr Weatherley’s record which showed one previous breach for the last 6 months.
Stewards submitted a penalty commensurate with the NZTR Revised Penalty Guide for excessive whip use (as of Februray 2023).
Mr Weatherley advised he had no definite commitments in the upcoming days and any potential suspension could begin immediately.
Reasons For Penalty
The Penalty Guide starting point for a breach of this nature, being a 2nd offence and 3 strikes over is a suspension of 5 national days.
After considering the film evidence, the submissions and having due regard for the number and frequency of strikes, the Adjudicative Committee determined there are no compelling reasons to depart from the starting point set out in the Penalty Guide. Mr Weatherley won the Race by a comfortable margin and no uplift was deemed necessary.
Conclusion
Mr Weatherley is suspended from close of racing today, March 16 2024 up until close of racing on March 24 2024 – a total of 5 national days.
Decision Date: 16/03/2024
Publish Date: 18/03/2024