Wyndham HRC 16 November 2025 – R4 – Rory McIlwrick

Mr Munro, Senior Stipendiary Steward, alleged that in Race 4, Mr McIlwrick (AIRWAVES) drove carelessly near the 300 metres when striking the sulky wheel of ROBYNS HUSTLER (Mr Hill), which punctured.

Mr Munro demonstrated the incident on the videos. The Respondent was 3 back on the pylons, racing behind ROBYNS HUSTLER, which was in the trail. As the Driver of the lead horse (Mr M Williamson) activated gear, there was a slight easing of the pace which had a concertina effect. Mr Munro said Mr McIlwrick was in restricted room. At that point of the race, Mr McIlwrick was in a position he could not get out of and had allowed his horse AIRWAVES to strike the outside sulky wheel of ROBYNS HUSTLER. In so doing, Mr McIlwrick was careless. He demonstrated that ROBYNS HUSTLER finished the race in second place, with a tyre that had deflated. When questioned by the Adjudicative Committee as to whether there had been a sudden loss of momentum in the race when Mr Williamson pulled the gear and whether ROBYNS HUSTLER come back onto AIRWAVES, Mr Munro, said “No”.

Mr McIlwrick said that AIRWAVES had been a difficult drive and that the contact with the wheel of ROBYNS HUSTLER, which he 100% agreed had happened, was due to the manners of the horse and not his driving. There was a concertina effect, and he was “not going for the horse”. He was not making a move. He said that AIRWAVES had been hanging and immediately prior to the incident, it was not racing straight. The horse’s head was right round on Mr Hill’s shoulder. He agreed he was racing close up behind ROBYNS HUSTLER, but that was standard racing practice. He was keeping hold of the horse.

Mr Munro summed up stating that Mr McIlwrick was aware that AIRWAVES was over-racing. He agreed the horse was a difficult drive, but in these circumstances, Mr McIlwrick should have taken greater care to avoid tight quarters. He was racing very close to Mr Hill’s helmet and was in tighter room than he should have been. He could not have been closer to Mr Hill if he tried. He had not allowed sufficient room.

Mr McIlwrick agreed he was right on the back of Mr Hill. He reiterated he was in a standard racing position, and he had done what he could. He was restraining his horse at the time. Mr Hill had gone right sharply, and he again emphasised the concertina effect.

Reasons for Decision

It is accepted by the parties that AIRWAVES has come into contact with the outside sulky wheel of ROBYNS HUSTLER near the 300 metres as the field turned for home. At this time, AIRWAVES was racing hard up behind ROBYNS HUSTLER. Mr McIlwrick has stated that AIRWAVES was giving him a difficult drive and Mr Munro accepts this. The Adjudicative Committee believes that in these circumstances, Mr McIlwrick should have allowed himself more room. It is accepted there was a slight easing of the pace of the race at the time which had a concertina effect, and that this has contributed to the incident, but the Adjudicative Committee does not accept that the contact was of the horse’s own making, as Mr McIlwrick has alleged. He was racing in tight quarters, and he has made contact with ROBYNS HUSTLER’s wheel. He should have allowed himself more space and therefore more decision time in the circumstances that eventuated, in the knowledge the horse was hanging and giving him a difficult drive. In failing to so do, he has driven carelessly.

Decision

The breach is found to be proved.

Submissions as to Penalty

Mr Munro produced the Respondent’s record, which showed that Mr McIlwrick has had 162 drives this season and 149 the last. His record is clear under this Rule for over 12 months. Mr Munro submitted that a penalty close to the starting point in the Penalty Guide was appropriate. He did not believe the incident had had any impact on the outcome of the race.

Mr McIlwrick confirmed his record and agreed with Mr Munro’s assessment.

Reasons for Penalty

The starting point in the Penalty Guide is a fine of $300. Having regard to the circumstances of the breach and Mr McIlwrick’s excellent record, a small reduction from this starting point is appropriate.

Conclusion

Mr McIlwrick is fined the sum of $275.