Winton HRC 25 August 2022 – R4 – Dennis O’Connell
ID: RIB10711
Animal Name:
FOUR STARZZZ SHIRAZ
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
25/08/2022
Race Club:
Winton Harness Racing Club
Race Location:
Winton Racecourse - Racecourse Road, Winton, 9720
Race Number:
R4
Hearing Date:
25/08/2022
Hearing Location:
Winton
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Driver, Dennis O'Connell suspended for 3 days
Facts
Mr O’Connell was charged with using the whip free of the rein in the run home in Race 4.
Mr Renault demonstrated on the videos that the Respondent crossed the reins and used the whip free of the reins in an upwards motion urging his horse for most of the home straight.
Mr O’Connell stated he did not realise he had crossed the reins and thought he still had the rein in his hand.
As Mr O’Connell has admitted the breach, it is found to be proved.
Penalty
Mr Munro described the breach as high end with a starting point of three days’ suspension. He produced the Respondent’s record which showed 275 lifetime drives and 13 this season. Mr O’Connell had one previous breach of the whip Rule in January of this year.
Mr O’Connell has used the whip free of the reins for a distance of some 250 metres in the home straight. He was unaware that he was in breach of the Rule.
The breach is correctly described as high end and a three-day starting point is taken. There is no adjustment from this figure.
Mr O’Connell is suspended from driving from the end of racing today up to and including 8 September. This is three days.
Decision Date: 25/08/2022
Publish Date: 26/08/2022