Westport TC 28 December 2022 – R5 – Alana Cameron
ID: RIB14375
Animal Name:
PHILADELPHIA FILLY
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
28/12/2022
Race Club:
Westport Trotting Club
Race Location:
Westport Racecourse - 15 Derby Street, Westport, 7825
Race Number:
R5
Hearing Date:
28/12/2022
Hearing Location:
Westport Raceway
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Junior Driver, Alana Cameron suspended for 2 days
BACKGROUND:
Following the running of Race 5, New World Mobile Pace, the Respondent, Junior Driver, Alana Cameron, as the Driver of PHILADELPHIA FILLY in the Race, admitted a charge of using her whip in more than wrist flicking motion in the run home.
The Respondent was assisted at the hearing by Open Driver, Matt Purvis.
Rule 869 provides:
(2) No driver shall during any race use a whip in a manner in contravention of the Use of the Whip Regulations made by the Board.
The Whip and Rein Regulations provide:
3.1 A driver may only apply the whip in a wrist only flicking motion whilst holding a rein in each hand with the tip of the whip pointed forward in an action which does not engage the shoulder.
EVIDENCE:
Stipendiary Steward, Shane Renault, showed a video replay of the final 350 metres of the race. He pointed out PHILADELPHIA FILLY, driven by the Respondent, racing outside the leader as the field neared the home straight. From early in the run home, the Respondent commenced to use her whip, and did so in more than a wrist only flicking motion, before reverting to a compliant style inside the final 100 metres.
Because of the distance over which the Respondent used her whip, the breach was mid-level, Mr Renault submitted.
Mr Purvis agreed that the Respondent had used her whip in more than a wrist flicking motion, but submitted that it looked worse than it was because she had also slapped the horse with the reins, which lifted her arms up. This exaggerated the severity of the strikes, he submitted.
DECISION:
The charge is admitted and is therefore deemed proved.
SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:
Stipendiary Steward, Shane Renault, said that the Respondent had only recently returned to race driving after a break. This was her first breach in the reset period, he said. The starting point for a mid-level breach is a $500 fine or a 2-day suspension, he said. If the Respondent would prefer a suspension, Stewards are recommending 2 days.
Miss Cameron confirmed that she would prefer a suspension. A possible deferment was then discussed. It was concluded that a deferment was not sought beyond the Reefton TC meeting on 30 December.
REASONS FOR PENALTY:
The Adjudicative Committee found that this breach was medium-level as defined in the Penalty Guide, that is to say – “when a driver inadvertently reverts to the old style (freehand, loose reining and/or more than a flicking motion) and continues to drive in the old manner for some distance (50 metres) before taking corrective steps to return to a compliant style of driving”.
For a medium-level breach, the HRNZ Whip Penalty Guide provides for a starting point of a 2-day suspension. There are no relevant aggravating or mitigating factors to consider.
CONCLUSION:
The Respondent is granted a deferment until after the Reefton TC meeting on 30 December.
The Respondent, Junior Driver Alana Cameron, is suspended for 2 days, commencing on 29 December 2022 and ending after 8 January 2023.
Decision Date: 28/12/2022
Publish Date: 17/01/2023