Wellington RC 21 January 2023 – R5 – Ciel Butler

ID: RIB14742

Respondent(s):
Ciel Butler - Apprentice Jockey

Applicant:
N Goodwin - Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
N Moffatt

Persons Present:
Ms C Butler, Ms K Clapperton - Central Districts Apprentice Mentor, Ms V Algar - Stipendiary Steward

Information Number:
A17365

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Excessive use whip

Rule(s):
638(3)(g)(i) - Contravention whip rule - excessive whip

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
TANZANITE ROSE

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
21/01/2023

Race Club:
Wellington Racing Club

Race Location:
Trentham - 10 Racecourse Rd, Upper Hutt, 5018

Race Number:
R5

Hearing Date:
21/01/2023

Hearing Location:
Trentham Racecourse

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Apprentice Jockey Ciel Butler is fined $500

Evidence

Following the running of Race 5,  the Respondent Ms C Butler admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres.

Apprentice Mentor Ms K Clapperton was present to assist.

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 Goodwin demonstrated that the Respondent struck her mount 6  times from the straight entrance to the 100-metre mark.

Ms Butler agreed with the number of strikes as counted by the Stewards and had nothing further to add.

Decision

As Ms Butler admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).

Submissions For Penalty

Mr Goodwin produced Ms Butler’s record which showed she had been warned for the same breach in October 2022 and fined $250 for a second breach in November at Waikato.

Stewards submitted a penalty commensurate with the NZTR Revised Penalty Guide for excessive whip use (as of 1 March 2022).

Reasons For Penalty

Current Penalty Guidelines provide for a $500 fine for a 3rd breach in circumstances of one additional strike.  There were no aggravating factors requiring an uplift.

On that basis, the Respondent is fined $500.

Conclusion

Ms Butler is fined $500.

Decision Date: 21/01/2023

Publish Date: 24/01/2023