Forbury Park TC - 3 June 2010 - R 7

RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION

Informant:  Mr Knowles

Defendant:  Mr D G McCormick

Information No:  67443

Meeting:  Forbury Park TC

Date:  3 June 2010

Venue:  Dunedin

Race:  7

Rule No:  869(2)(a)

Judicial Committee:  G Hall, Chairman – D Steel, Committee Member 

Plea: Admitted

Also Present:

CHARGE:

Mr McCormick has admitted a breach of R 869(2)(a) in that he used his whip in an excessive and unnecessary manner over the final 700 metres.

DECISION:

Mr Knowles has demonstrated on the videos that Mr McCormick repeatedly used the whip both on the horse and the shaft of the sulky, and continued to do so even when the horse was clearly beaten at the 400 metres. Mr McCormick ultimately finished 25 lengths from the winner. Mr Knowles accepted, and we agree, that these strikes were not particularly severe and there was a brief respite.

Mr McCormick agreed with Mr Knowles description of the breach.

Mr McCormick’s record is clear under this Rule this season. Mr Knowles submitted a fine of $300 was appropriate. Mr McCormick stated he was a pensioner and asked for a lesser sum.

It is only Mr McCormick’s excellent record and his open admission of the breach that leads us to the conclusion that a fine of $250 is appropriate.  Mr McCormick’s actions “do not look good”, as Mr Knowles has said. We remind him of his obligations under the Rules of Harness Racing.

G Hall                          D Steel

CHAIR                         Committee Member

67443