Wellington RC 31 January 2026 – R7 (heard 7 February 2026 at Te Rapa) – Elen Nicholas

Introduction

Following the running of Race 7, the Life Direct Remutaka Classic ($350,000) at the Wellington RC meeting on 31 January 2026, Information No. A17673 was filed with the Adjudicative Committee alleging that Apprentice Rider Ms E Nicholas used the whip on her mount, JULIANUS, when out of contention of finishing in the first five placings.

Due to Ms Nicholas having left the course before the charge could be heard, the matter was adjourned and dealt with at the Waikato TR meeting at Te Rapa on 7 February 2026.

The charge was filed pursuant to Rule 638(3)(f)(iii) which provides that:

a Rider must not use his whip when the Rider’s horse is out of contention of running in the first five placings.

Ms Nicholas admitted the breach. She was assisted at the hearing by Class A Rider Ms K Myers.

EVIDENCE

Using available race films, Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham demonstrated the incident. He identified Ms Nicholas’ mount, JULIANUS, who was racing near the rear as the field entered the home straight.

From the top of the straight, Ms Nicholas struck her mount on four occasions. He said that the Stewards were not so concerned about the first two strikes, but the other two were not necessary. The final strike was inside the 100-metre mark. JULIANUS was never in contention of finishing in the first five placings and finished in 14th place, 5 lengths from the winner.

In response, Ms Nicholas stated that the first strike was applied in the hope her mount would respond and run on as it had done so previously. The second strike she said, was applied for safety reasons. She added that she misjudged the final two strikes and agreed that they were not necessary.

DECISION

As Ms Nicholas admitted the charge, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

SUBMISSIONS TO PENALTY

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham advised that this is Ms Nicholas’ fourth breach of the Rule. Her most recent breach occurred, the previous day at the Waikato TR meeting on 30 January 2026. This resulted in a $500 fine being imposed. Her other two breaches occurred at the Whangarei RC meeting on 6 January 2026 and the Rotorua RC meeting on 27 December 2026.

Mr Oatham submitted the breach was low end, and it occurred in a Special Conditions Race with stake money of $350,000. He said that Riders tend to have a particular mindset when racing for large sums of prize money. He suggested a penalty be imposed in the vicinity of $500 – $750.

Ms Nicholas submitted accepted she has a poor record and is taking steps to improve.

REASONS FOR PENALTY

The film evidence is quite clear. Ms Nicholas struck her mount four times over the concluding stages of the race and of particular concern, is that the final strike was inside the last 100 metres when there was no possibility of her mount finishing in the first five place placing. Her mount finished in 14th place, 5 lengths from the 5th placed horse (PLATINUM GODDESS).

The Penalty Guide provides for a starting point fine of $300 for a first offence.

Aggravating factors included status and stakes of the race ($350,000), the number of strikes and this is her fourth offence.

The previous breaches have occurred over a very short timeframe and during the hearing of the previous one, the day before this breach Ms Nicholas told the Adjudicative Committee that “she would learn from this experience, particularly regarding the use of the whip when a horse is not in contention to finish in the first five placings”. Clearly, she did not learn from her previous day’s breach.

After considering all the circumstances, in particular Ms Nicholas’ poor record, the number of strikes and the status of the race, the Adjudicative Committee imposed a $750 fine.

CONCLUSION

Apprentice Rider Ms Nicholas is fined $750.