The DeFilippi suspension case: Unravelling the mystery of why jockeys get more leniency

Harness Racing New Zealand needs to follow the lead of the thoroughbred code and amend its guidelines on suspensions, says under siege driver Colin DeFilippi.

The veteran Canterbury reinsman, who is in the twilight of his career, faces not being able to drive his own horse Heza Sport in Tuesday’s IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup after being suspended at Kaikoura last Monday for a whip infringement.

Under the rules he could only have his penalty deferred if he had confirmed drives in the following seven days - cup day was eight days away.

DeFilippi’s pleas for a shorter suspension and fine in lieu fell on deaf ears and so did his suggestion that he be given a longer suspension to take effect after the cup.

“They made out they were doing me a favour only giving me three days.”

Racing Integrity Board adjudicative chairman Russell McKenzie told DeFilippi he was not allowed to stray from the rules when told the penalty of missing out on the year’s biggest race was too harsh.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, however, is working to a different set of penalty guidelines.

Under its rules, the same seven day window for deferment applies but jockeys are able to keep riding if they have engagements for the next 10 days.

NZTR general manager racing Tim Aldridge said the change was instigated by NZTR during the Covid pandemic.

“The penalty guide, which the code gives to the RIB, was altered to alleviate a shortage of jockeys. That was caused by a potpourri of factors - jockeys coming down with Covid, difficulties with transport and it also coincided with a change to the whip rules when a lot of riders were being suspended.”

Aldridge said it was not his area of focus now but he was pretty sure jockeys had at one time been granted a mix of shorter suspensions and fines to allow them to compete in upcoming feature races.

NZTR would appear to have made another tweak to its guidelines on whip penalties.

At the premier Hastings meeting on September 10, five jockeys were found guilty of breaching the whip rules - and in each case they were fined, not suspended.

The harshest penalty was dealt to Lisa Allpress who won the feature race, the Tarzino Trophy, on Dark Destroyer.

She was found to have struck the horse seven times before the 100 metre mark and fined $4250, which reflected the status of the race.

DeFilippi, who says Tuesday is probably his last chance to compete in the cup, believes it behoves HRNZ to be more proactive in changing its guidelines.

He also lamented the fact the Horsemens’ Association seemed to have lost its influence.

“We horsemen are our own worst enemy. Many years ago 100 people would turn up for our annual meeting, now you’d be lucky to get 13.”

DeFilippi lodged an appeal yesterday and has asked for a stay of penalty.

(more later).