Waikouaiti TC 5 February 2023 – R1 – Darryn Simpson
ID: RIB15449
Animal Name:
SONGBIRD
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
05/02/2023
Race Club:
Waikouaiti Trotting Club
Race Location:
Oamaru Racecourse - Highway 1, Oamaru North, Oamaru, 9494
Race Number:
R1
Hearing Date:
05/02/2023
Hearing Location:
Oamaru
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Amateur Driver Darryn Simpson is suspended for 6 weeks
Mr Munro alleged that in Race 1, Mr D Simpson (SONGBIRD) used his whip free of the rein and with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.
Mr Renault demonstrated the incident on the videos. After Mr Simpson pulled the plugs, he used his whip free of the rein and then with more than a wrist flicking motion a little later in the run home.
Mr Simpson said he pulled the plugs and gave the horse two strikes. He grabbed the reins when he realised what he had done. He accepted that a couple of latter strikes were more than with a wrist flicking action. He said he was stronger than he thought and emphasised that he had then complied. He added he had just urged his horse with the reins when he realised he could not improve into a dividend bearing placing.
Decision
As Mr Simpson has admitted the breach, it is found to be proved.
Submissions as to Penalty
Mr Munro produced the Respondent’s record which showed 3 drives last season, and that this was his first drive this season. He described Mr Simpson’s record as not good, as this was his first drive after being suspended for one month for a similar breach. The Stewards believed the breach was mid-range. He submitted a three to four-day suspension was appropriate. Mr Simpson asked that the suspension be as short as possible as he wished to race in the Amateur Drivers’ Championship.
Reasons for Penalty
Mr Simpson has now breached the Whip Rules twice in quick succession. To his credit, each time in this race when he has realised that he is in breach, he has reverted to a compliant style.
The Penalty Guide provides for a starting point of four days for a second mid level breach. This is reduced in this instance by one day due to the fact that the breach can be viewed as low to mid-range, in that the Respondent each time quickly returned to a compliant mode. Suspensions for Amateur Drivers are calculated on the basis of two meetings per month. Mr Simpson is suspended for three days/meetings.
Conclusion
Mr Simpson is suspended from the end of the meeting today up to and including 18 March.
Decision Date: 05/02/2023
Publish Date: 09/02/2023