Forbury Park TC 20 April 2017 – R 6 (heard on 30 April 2017 at Ascot Park) – Chair, Prof G Hall

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startdate: 20/04/2017

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hearing_title: Forbury Park TC 20 April 2017 - R 6 (heard on 30 April 2017 at Ascot Park) - Chair, Prof G Hall

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Decision:

RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION

Informant: Mr L Tidmarsh, Stipendiary Steward

Respondent: Ms G Crawford, Junior Horsewoman

Information Number: A9355

Meeting: Forbury Park Trotting Club

Date: 20 April 2017 (heard 30 April at Ascot Park)

Rules: 869(2)(a)

Race: 6

Committee: G Hall, Chair - P Knowles, Committee Member

Plea: Admitted

Charge: Excessive Use of the Whip

Evidence:

Mr Tidmarsh, Stipendiary Steward, alleged that Ms Crawford (KING KONE) used her whip excessively over the final 400 metres in race 6, the ERIC RYAN MEMORIAL TROT.

Rule 869 provides as follows:

(2) No horseman shall during any race:

(a) use his whip in an unnecessary, excessive or improper manner.

The Use of Whip Guidelines provide:

The whip shall not be used more than 10 times in the last 400 metres of a race, otherwise this will be deemed excessive use pursuant to these Guidelines.

Mr Knight appeared on behalf of Ms Crawford and indicated that she admitted the breach. He stated that Ms Crawford was not at the course today. Mr Knight confirmed with the Committee that he had viewed the videos with Ms Crawford and they had agreed that an admission of the breach was appropriate.

Mr Tidmarsh demonstrated on the videos that from the 400 metres there were 14 strikes to KING KONE. He demonstrated that before turning for home there were 2 strikes before the respondent went back to the rein. Once Ms Crawford was in the home straight, she crossed the reins and hit the horse 14 times. There were two pauses when the reins, which were in Ms Crawford’s left hand, were used to urge the horse.

Mr Knight stated that Mr Tidmarsh’s assessment of the videos was accurate and that he was assisting Ms Crawford with making the necessary changes to her whip action.

Ms Crawford admitted the charge. The charge is proved.

Mr Tidmarsh produced Ms Crawford’s record, which evidenced a previous breach of this rule. This was at Gore on 19 February when she was fined $300. Ms Crawford is a junior driver and has had 44 drives to date this season. Mr Tidmarsh stated, as this is Ms Crawford’s second breach within a 6-month period, the starting point under the guidelines is a 3 to 5 day suspension. He submitted a 3-day suspension was appropriate.

Mr Knight did not disagree with Mr Tidmarsh’s submission.

The total number of strikes was 16, and the pauses were only momentary.

Ms Crawford is a junior driver and would have no more than 2 drives on average per meeting. We take a 4-day starting point and after a 1-day discount for her admission of the breach and the fact she is a junior driver, the penalty is 3 days’ suspension.

Ms Crawford is suspended from the end of racing on 30 April up to and including 13 May. These days are:

Gore 6 May

Forbury Park 11 May

Winton 13 May.

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hearing_type: Old Hearing

Rules: 869(2)(a)

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