Thames HRC – 12 May 2006 –

hearingid: 6787d9035e55fd114ad6b9ab7880b425

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hearing_racingtype: harness-racing

startdate: 12/05/2006

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hearing_title: Thames HRC - 12 May 2006 -

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Following the running of race No 10, an information was filed alleging a breach of rule 869 (2) (a).     The informant was Mr. J M Muirhead and the defendant Mr. D Cameron, the driver of Sky Trek in race 10 .

Following the running of race No 10, an information was filed alleging a breach of rule 869 (2) (a)

The informant was Mr. J M Muirhead and the defendant Mr. D Cameron the driver of Sky Trek in race 10 .

The information stated that Mr. D Cameron the driver of Sky Trek used his whip excessively on his horse over the concluding stages.

Mr. Muirhead showed the video of the run home and the video showed Mr. Cameron driving Sky Trek in third place turning for home and under a drive with the whip. Mr. Muirhead stated in his evidence that Mr. Cameron had struck his horse Sky Trek at least 22 times in the run home.

Mr. Muirhead considered this to be excessive and unnecessary use of the whip.

Mr. T W Taumanu was called by Mr. Muirhead to give evidence and Mr. Taumanu stated he was on duty at the top of the straight and observed Mr Cameron to be racing handy to the leaders on turning for home when Mr. Taumanu saw Mr. Cameron strike his horse with the whip in a "vicious manner". Mr. Taumanu said his attention was drawn to Mr. Cameron by his action with the whip and it was the severity which Mr Cameron struck this horse that he was concerned about. Mr. Taumanu stated that Mr. Cameron had given Sky Trek a couple around the turn and these were fine however on straightening Mr Cameron's use of the whip was "rapid fire" and "severe" in his opinion. Mr. Castle the trainer of Sky Trek was called by Mr. Cameron as his witness and Mr Castle stated he had engaged Mr. Cameron to drive his horse as he believed Sky Trek was cheating and he asked Mr. Cameron to give Sky Trek a "wake up call", with the whip. Mr. Castle stated this was the first time the whip had been used on this horse and he was happy with the way Mr Cameron had driven his horse.

Mr. Cameron gave evidence and it was his belief that his use of the whip was within the bounds of the rules. Mr Cameron said he was driving Sky Trek to gain the best possible finishing place and he did not consider his use of the whip to be excessive.

Having taken all of the evidence into consideration the video evidence Mr. Taumanu's evidence Mr. Muirhead's evidence and the evidence of Mr. Cameron and Mr. Castle this Judical committee finds the breach of this rule proven. We find that Mr Cameron did use his whip in the run home in an excessive and unnecessary manner on Sky Trek. The video evidence is compelling this show's Sky Trek in 3^rd place on the turn and shows Mr. Cameron to strike Sky Trek severely with the whip causing this horse to run out such was the force of the whip. Mr Cameron continued to use his whip on this horse in the run home with force. Submissions were heard on penalty from Mr. Muirhead and Mr. Cameron, the driving record of Mr. Cameron was presented for perusal this record showed a breach of this rule in November when Mr. Cameron was fined the sum of $250.00. Having taken into consideration the submissions as presented on penalty this Judicial Committee imposes a suspension of Mr Cameron's horseman's licence to and including the 9^th June 2006.

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hearing_type: Old Hearing

Rules: 869.2.a

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