STEWARDS DECISION
TASRACING INTEGRITY and MITCH FORD
Date of Inquiry 17th February 2025
Stewards Panel: Mr R Brown (Chair) & Mr R Simpson
Respondent: Mr Mitch Ford
Rule: Australian Harness Racing Rule 156(3)(v)
Plea: Guilty
An inquiry was held after the running of Trial 5 at Hobart held on the 17th of February 2025 into the whip use by Mr Mitch Ford who drove MY TANYA LEE which finished in third placing.
Of concern to Stewards was that Mr Ford continued to use his whip in a forceful manner after passing the winning post on at least four occasions.
Stewards, after taking evidence from the driver Ford, charged him under the provisions of AHR Rule 156(3), being mindful of circumstances illustrated in part (4) of the rule, particularly (4)(a) and (4)(b)(v). The particulars of the charge being that after the finish of Trial 5 at the Hobart Pacing Trial Meeting on 17th Feb 2025 whilst driving MY TANYA LEE, driver Ford continued to use his whip in a forceful manner on at least four occasions after passing the winning post.
Mr Ford pled guilty to the charge and after due consideration Stewards fined Mr Ford the sum of $1000. Stewards, after considering Mr Ford’s record under the whip rules and also his guilty plea, plus the remorse shown about his actions, suspended $500 of this penalty on condition of no further breaches of this rule for a period of Twelve months.
Mr Ford was reminded of his rights of appeal.
Decision Date: 17 February 2025
