Westport TC 28 December 2025 – R4 – Bob Butt

Following the running of Race 4, Graeme & Joan McMaster Pace, Open Driver, Bob Butt, admitted a breach of the Whip Rules in that, as the Driver of ULTIMATUM in the race, he “used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home”.

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.

 3.2     For the purposes of clause 3.1, “wrist only flicking motion” means:

 3.2.1    Ensuring no force is generated by the use of the elbow or shoulder when applying the whip.

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Matt Sole, showed a video replay of the final 200-300 metres of the race. He pointed out ULTIMATUM, driven by Mr Butt, in the lead as the field turned into the final straight.

Mr Sole then pointed out on the video replay, that Mr Butt used his whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion on three clear occasions, he alleged, prior to the 100 metres, prior to returning to a compliant style in the closing stages.

The Adjudicative Committee noted that ULTIMATUM finished in 5th placing in the 13-horse field.

Mr Butt accepted Mr Sole’s assessment and did not wish to comment.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Sole said that Mr Butt has had 325 drives in the current season (338 in the 2024 season). He has a clear record, but received a warning on the first day of the meeting, on 26 December and, hence, he has been charged on this occasion, Mr Sole said. Stewards saw the breach as being low-level, he said.

Mr Sole then referred to the Penalty Guide starting point for a low-level, first breach of a $300 fine or a 2-days suspension. Mr Butt had indicated a preference for a fine and, given that Stewards assessed the breach as being low-level, Mr Sole submitted that a $300 fine would be an appropriate penalty.

Mr Butt confirmed that he would prefer a fine.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Harness Racing Penalty Guide (October 2024) provides a starting point for penalty for a first, low-level breach of a $300 fine or a 2-days suspension. A “low-level breach” is defined as “when the driver inadvertently uses the old whipping style before promptly returning to the compliant style”.  The Adjudicative Committee clearly sees this particular breach as being low-level, within that definition. There were only three non-compliant strikes, early in the run home, not delivered with any degree of force.

Mr Butt has expressed a preference for a fine on this occasion. There are no relevant aggravating or mitigating factors to be considered.

CONCLUSION:

Open Driver, Bob Butt, is fined the sum of $300.