Archive Decision

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Hawke’s Bay RI 19 September 2020 – R 10 – Chair, Mrs N Moffatt

ID: JCA15992

Applicant:
Mr N Goodwin - Senior Stipendiary Steward

Respondent(s):
Ms D Johnson - Class A Rider

Other Person:
Mr B Jones - Stipendiary Steward

Information Number:
A12341

Hearing Type:
Hearing

New Charge:
Excessive Use of the Whip

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

Plea:
admitted

Code:
Thoroughbred

Meet Title:
Hawkes Bay RI - 19 September 2020

Meet Chair:
NMoffatt

Meet Committee Member 1:
TCastles

Race Date:
2020/09/19

Race Number:
R 10

Decision:

Ms Johnson admitted the breach; therefore, the charge was deemed proved.

Penalty:

Accordingly Ms Johnson is fined the sum of $800.

Facts:

Following Race 10 (Group 1 Tarzino Trophy), Stipendiary Steward, Mr Goodwin lodged an Information with the Judicial Committee alleging a breach of Rule 638(3)(b)(ii) in that Ms Johnson used her whip excessively when riding AVANTAGE prior to the 100m.

At the outset of the hearing, Ms Johnson confirmed she understood the Rule and that she admitted the breach.

Mr Goodwin had Mr Jones explain the reason for the charge using the videos. He showed Ms Johnson used her whip a total of 8 times before the 100m mark while riding AVANTAGE, and within these 8 strikes there were two occasions where the whip use was consecutive.

While Ms Johnson was satisfied that the number of strikes was accurate, she stated that she was only three-over the guidelines.

In response to questions from the Committee, Mr Goodwin confirmed AVANTAGE ran third, and all other riders used their whips in accordance with the guidelines. 

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Goodwin said this was the second whip charge for Ms Johnson within the last 12 months. The previous charge was in January.

The Steward’s submission was for a monetary penalty to reflect the Group 1 status of the race.

Ms Johnson previously reminded the Committee she was only three strikes over the guidelines.

Reasons for Penalty:

The Penalty Guide for Judicial Committees provides the following starting points for breaches of Rule 638(3)(b)(ii):
1st breach - $300
2nd breach - $500
3rd breach - suspension
However, if the number of strikes is 10 or more a 6-day suspension is the starting point.

The Committee considered all submissions. This was Ms Johnson’s second breach of the whip rule within the last 12 months, and at 8 strikes the starting point is a $500 fine.

There were two aggravating factors. The whip guidelines which came into effect 11 months ago clearly set out the restriction on consecutive strikes of the whip. Ms Johnson used her whip consecutively on AVANTAGE twice before the 100m (within the total number of 8).

The second aggravating factor was the Group 1 status of the race. The Stewards made no suggestion that Ms Johnson gained any advantage, however riders must ensure that they ride within the well-established whip guidelines. Any penalty must be sufficient to act as a deterent particularly in these high stake/status races.

Taking into account all factors the Committee determined an $800 monetary penalty appropriate.

JCA Decision Fields (raw)

Dmitry: This section contains all JCA fields migrated from the raw data.

Data from these fields should be mapped appropriately to display amongst the standard fields above; please make note of any values below that are missing in the above standard fields but should be there.

hearingid: ad1362b408af94ac3fc87f17a7682b78


informantnumber: A12341


horsename:


hearing_racingtype:


startdate: no date provided


newcharge: Excessive Use of the Whip


plea: admitted


penaltyrequired: 1


decisiondate: 20/09/2020


hearing_title: Hawke's Bay RI 19 September 2020 - R 10 - Chair, Mrs N Moffatt


charge:


facts:

Following Race 10 (Group 1 Tarzino Trophy), Stipendiary Steward, Mr Goodwin lodged an Information with the Judicial Committee alleging a breach of Rule 638(3)(b)(ii) in that Ms Johnson used her whip excessively when riding AVANTAGE prior to the 100m.

At the outset of the hearing, Ms Johnson confirmed she understood the Rule and that she admitted the breach.

Mr Goodwin had Mr Jones explain the reason for the charge using the videos. He showed Ms Johnson used her whip a total of 8 times before the 100m mark while riding AVANTAGE, and within these 8 strikes there were two occasions where the whip use was consecutive.

While Ms Johnson was satisfied that the number of strikes was accurate, she stated that she was only three-over the guidelines.

In response to questions from the Committee, Mr Goodwin confirmed AVANTAGE ran third, and all other riders used their whips in accordance with the guidelines. 


appealdecision:


isappeal:


submissionsfordecision:


reasonsfordecision:


Decision:

Ms Johnson admitted the breach; therefore, the charge was deemed proved.


sumissionsforpenalty:

Mr Goodwin said this was the second whip charge for Ms Johnson within the last 12 months. The previous charge was in January.

The Steward’s submission was for a monetary penalty to reflect the Group 1 status of the race.

Ms Johnson previously reminded the Committee she was only three strikes over the guidelines.


reasonsforpenalty:

The Penalty Guide for Judicial Committees provides the following starting points for breaches of Rule 638(3)(b)(ii):
1st breach - $300
2nd breach - $500
3rd breach - suspension
However, if the number of strikes is 10 or more a 6-day suspension is the starting point.

The Committee considered all submissions. This was Ms Johnson’s second breach of the whip rule within the last 12 months, and at 8 strikes the starting point is a $500 fine.

There were two aggravating factors. The whip guidelines which came into effect 11 months ago clearly set out the restriction on consecutive strikes of the whip. Ms Johnson used her whip consecutively on AVANTAGE twice before the 100m (within the total number of 8).

The second aggravating factor was the Group 1 status of the race. The Stewards made no suggestion that Ms Johnson gained any advantage, however riders must ensure that they ride within the well-established whip guidelines. Any penalty must be sufficient to act as a deterent particularly in these high stake/status races.

Taking into account all factors the Committee determined an $800 monetary penalty appropriate.


penalty:

Accordingly Ms Johnson is fined the sum of $800.


hearing_type: Hearing


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


Informant: Mr N Goodwin - Senior Stipendiary Steward


JockeysandTrainer: Ms D Johnson - Class A Rider


Otherperson: Mr B Jones - Stipendiary Steward


PersonPresent:


Respondent:


StipendSteward:


raceid: e53e4c7042a64450cf0256de7bc5fb1b


race_expapproval:


racecancelled: 0


race_noreport: 0


race_emailed1: 0


race_emailed2: 0


race_title: R 10


submittochair:


race_expappcomment:


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race_pm2:


meetid: e13b276911594b8d69ac74fb4a2e4a0b


meet_expapproval:


meet_noreport: 0


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meet_emailed1: 0


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meetdate: 19/09/2020


meet_title: Hawkes Bay RI - 19 September 2020


meet_expappcomment:


meet_km:


meet_otherexp:


tracklocation: hawkes-bay-ri


meet_racingtype: thoroughbred-racing


meet_chair: NMoffatt


meet_pm1: TCastles


meet_pm2: none


name: Hawkes Bay RI