Wellington RC 22 April 2017 – R 2 (heard on 25 April 2017 at Awapuni) – Chair, Mr T Bird

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startdate: 22/04/2017

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hearing_title: Wellington RC 22 April 2017 - R 2 (heard on 25 April 2017 at Awapuni) - Chair, Mr T Bird

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RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION
Informant: Mr N Goodwin, Stipendiary Steward
Respondent: Mr R Hannam – Licensed Jockey
Information No: A8754
Meeting: Wellington Racing Club
Date: 22 April 2017 (heard 25 April 2017 at Awapuni)
Venue: Trentham
Rule No: 638(3)(b)(ii) – excessive use of the whip
Race: 2
Judicial Committee: Mr T Bird, Chair – Mrs N Moffatt, Committee Member
Plea: Admitted
Also Present: Mr D Balcombe, Stipendiary Steward

Evidence:
Note: Written approval, received from RIU General Manager, Mr M Godber to hear the charge originating from an incident at the Wellington RC meeting on 22 April was tables prior to the hearing

During the Feilding Jockey Club’s Anzac Day meeting on April 25th, 2017, Information A 8754 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It alleged a breach of Rule 638(3)(b)(ii) by Licensed Jockey, Mr Robert Hannam when riding I’M HORACE in race two, the Vision Enhancement Maiden (1200m), at the Wellington RC meeting on April 22, 2017.

The Information stated that Robert Hannam struck his mount prior to the 200m without the necessary respite.

Rule 638(3)(b)(ii) states:
“A Rider shall not: …
(b) strike a horse with a whip in a manner or to an extent which is: …
(ii) … excessive”.

Mr Hannam confirmed to the committee that he understood Rule 638(3)(b)(ii), and that he admitted the breach.

Using both the side and head-on films, Mr Goodwin identified Mr Hannam as the field commenced the run home. Mr Goodwin pointed out that Mr Hannam had used his whip to strike his horse within the rules early in the home straight before a respite. He then drew the whip again, hitting the horse a further nine times in succession - two of those strikes outside the 200m mark were on the horse’s shoulder. Mr Goodwin submitted this was outside the whip rules of six on and six off up to the 200m mark.

Mr Hannam agreed with the Stewards’ assessment and did not want to add anything further when given the opportunity.

Decision:
As the charge was admitted, the committee found the charge proved.

Submissions for Penalty:
In presenting Mr Hannam’s recent record, Mr Goodwin said he did not have a good record with whip use. Significantly, he pointed out Mr Hannam was a very busy rider and to his credit had not transgressed the whip rules since November last year when he last breached the rules on two occasions inside a week.  

He said that on the most recent of those, Mr Hannam was guilty of hitting his mount 12 times in succession and was suspended for two race days and fined $750 after having won the race. Mr Goodwin submitted his latest charge followed a period of almost five months without offending under the rule. He added Mr Hannam gets a lot of race rides and had obviously made significant effort to curb his enthusiasm towards his whip since the November incidents.

Mr Goodwin submitted a two day suspension was appropriate on this occasion.

Reasons for Penalty:
The committee considered all the evidence and submissions placed before it. The JCA Penalty Guidelines identify a starting point of 3-5 riding day suspension for a second breach within a six-month period.

The committee adopted a starting point of a three day suspension. Mr Hannam’s admission of the breach and that the incident was viewed to be in the low to mid-range by the committee earned him a discount of two race days.

An aggravating factor was that it was Mr Hannam’s third breach within six months. For this 1 day is added.

Penalty:
The committee determined that a 2-day suspension starting after racing on April 30th, 2017.

The committee approved a deferment of the suspension of seven days sought by Mr Hannam to allow him to fulfil confirmed riding engagements.

The days of suspension being:
1. May 3 – Matamata RC
2. May 4 – Otaki-Maori RC

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hearing_type: Old Hearing

Rules: 638(3)(b)(ii)

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