Canterbury Racing – 10 August 2005 – Race 5

Following the running of Race 5 Stipendiary Steward Mr S. C. Ching laid an information pursuant to Rule 530(2)(b) alleging Jockey R. E. Eynont, who rode "Got Up And Went" (7), used the whip excessively from approximately the 800 metre mark to the 200 metre mark.

Rule 530(2)(b) provides as follows.

Mr Eynon had indicated on the Information that he admitted this breach of the Rules and he confirmed that at the hearing.

Mr Ching used video coverage of the incident to show that Mr Eynon had used the whip almost continuously from the 800 metre mark to the 200 metre mark. The guidelines for use of the whip up to the 200 metre mark require that the whip can be used six times and then there must be a period of respite before the whip can be used another six times and so on. Mr Ching said that Mr Eynon used the whip 8 ? 10 times after jumping "Jumbo" which is at about the 800 metre mark. He then stopped for a short time and then again used the whip about 8 - 10 times up to the 200 metre mark.

Mr Eynon did not dispute the evidence of Mr Ching and he did not have anything he wanted to say about the breach.

Penalty: In relation to penalty Mr Ching advised the Committee that Mr Eynon had no previous relevant convictions. Mr Ching also advised that a fine was the usual penalty for a first offence, and that in this case the fine should be in the vicinity of $200-00 to $300-00.

Mr Eynon asked that suspension be considered rather than a fine, as he did not have many rides and would find it difficult to pay a fine in his present financial situation. Mr Ching agreed that a suspension would be an appropriate penalty in this case.

We adjourned to consider the matter of an appropriate penalty. On our return to the Enquiry Room we gave the following oral decision.

"Mr Eynon we have had a look at the penalties for excessive use of the whip and they range between $100-00 and $300-00. Mr Ching has asked for a fine of between $200-00 and $300-00. You have asked that we consider a suspension and we agree that there should be a suspension rather than a fine. The suspension is going to be for 2 days, and it will take effect after the completion of racing on 14 August 2005, which is next Sunday, until after the completion of racing on 24 August 2005, which is effectively 2 days."

Before retiring to consider penalty there had been discussions with Mr Ching and Mr Eynon regarding a suspension. It was agreed that suspension could not commence until after 14 August 2005, as withdrawal time had passed for all meetings up to that date. It was also agreed that there was no suitable race for Mr Eynon at the Taupo Racing Club's meeting on 17 August 2005 as he only rode in highweight and jumping races. The 2 days suspension therefore relates to race meetings on 20 and 24 August 2005.

Chairman