Whangarei RC 28 June 2025 – R3 – Yuga Okubo

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 3, Apprentice Rider Yuga Okubo, assisted by Rider Mentor Mr Noel Harris and Mr Chris McNab (representing the T Pike Stable), admitted a charge of using his whip when his horse was out of contention. The charge was filed pursuant to Rule 638(3)(f)(iii) which provides that:

…a Rider must not use his or her whip …  when the Rider’s horse is out of contention.

Particulars of the Charge are as follows:

“Used his whip on his mount ST VINCENT when out of contention of running in the first five placings”.

Mr Okubo confirmed that he understood the nature of the charge.

Using available race films, Stipendiary Steward Mr Dooley demonstrated the incident.  He identified Mr Okubo’s mount, ST VINCENT, who was racing near the rear as the field entered the home straight.   From the straight entrance to mid-way up the straight, Mr Okubo struck his mount on 2 or 3 occasions, which Stewards assessed as being reasonable and compliant.  He then struck his mount a further 2 times, which Mr Dooley said were unnecessary as at this point, ST VINCENT was 11.5 lengths behind the lead horse and was never in contention of finishing in the first five placings.

Mr Okubo advised that he agreed with the Stewards’ interpretation of the incident. Mr Harris accepted that Mr Okubo’s whip use was “not a good look”.

Decision:

As Mr Okubo admitted the breach, it is deemed to be proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Dooley advised that Mr Okubo has breached the Rule on one previous occasion.  This occurred on 25 May 2025 at Auckland TR and resulted in a $300 fine. He said Mr Okubo is an inexperienced Rider, having had 35 race rides this season, and 10 rides since his previous breach.

Mr Dooley submitted that the Penalty Guide provides for a $300 (starting point) fine and suggested a modest uplift be applied, to reflect the fact that this is Mr Okubo’s second breach of the Rule within the last four weeks.

Mr Okubo accepted that a fine would be imposed.

In support, Mr McNab said that Mr Okubo is still learning and is not getting many raceday mounts, that have sufficiently good form to finish in the placings.  He said when coaching young Riders, it is a fine balance to impress on them the need to fully ride their mounts out in a finish, versus the need to ease off when they are out of contention.

Reasons for Penalty:

The race films clearly showed that Mr Okubo struck his mount twice when out of contention and it was apparent that it had no chance of finishing in the first five placings, when the strikes were applied.

The Penalty Guide provides for a starting point fine of $300.  A $50 uplift is applied to the starting point, due to this being Mr Okubo’s second breach in a relatively short time.  Mr Okubo must now take heed of coaching/advice offered to him by Mr McNab, to ensure he modifies his whip use when riding horses that are out of contention.

Conclusion:

Apprentice Rider Mr Okubo is fined $350.