Akaroa TC – 22 March 2009 – Race 5

hearingid: 09bbb84d1b7a12a33a50cfa7ddf5dc34

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startdate: 22/03/2009

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hearing_title: Akaroa TC - 22 March 2009 - Race 5

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Following the running of Race 5, Yaldhurst Wools Thelma Memorial Fillies & Mares Pace, an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr S P Renault, against Licensed Open Driver, Mr S J Thompson, alleging a breach of Rule 869 (2) (a) in that “as the driver VIKTORIAS SECRET [he] used his whip excessively in the home straight”. VIKTORIAS SECRET finished in 2nd placing in the Race.

Following the running of Race 5, Yaldhurst Wools Thelma Memorial Fillies & Mares Pace, an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr S P Renault, against Licensed Open Driver, Mr S J Thompson, alleging a breach of Rule 869 (2) (a) in that “as the driver VIKTORIAS SECRET [he] used his whip excessively in the home straight”. VIKTORIAS SECRET finished in 2nd placing in the Race.

Mr Thompson was present at the hearing of the information and admitted the breach.

Rule 869 (2) (a) provides as follows:
(2)  No horseman shall during any race:-
     (a)  use his whip in unnecessary, excessive or improper manner.

Mr Renault alleged that Mr Thompson had used his whip approximately 26-28 times in the run home.

Mr N G McIntyre, Stipendiary Steward, showed a video replay of the final 300-400 metres of the Race. He pointed out Mr Thompson on VIKTORIAS SECRET use his whip approximately 26-28 times in the run home

In relation to penalty, Mr Renault told the Committee that Mr Thompson had had 62 drives in the current season had breached the excessive use of the whip Rule on two previous occasions in the past 12 months:
20.6.08    Fined $200
3.11.08   Fined $250

Mr Renault submitted that Mr Thompson’s record was not good and he recommended a 3-days’ suspension.

Mr Thompson submitted that there was no malice involved in any of the hits and he was not trying to hurt the horse. Many of the strikes were on the shaft rather than the horse. He was mainly trying to make a lot of noise to help the horse run. He accepted that a suspension was appropriate.

The Committee noted that Mr Thompson had breached the excessive use of the whip Rule on two previous occasions in the last 9 months. However, while the Committee gave Mr Thompson credit for his admission of the breach, a suspension was inevitable in the light of Mr Thompson’s record and the fact that the breach was at the higher end of the scale.

Mr Thompson’s licence was suspended from the close of racing on 22 March 2008 up to and including 29 March 2008, effectively 3 days.  

 R G McKenzie
CHAIRMAN

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hearing_type: Old Hearing

Rules: 869.2.a

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