NZ HARNESS NEWS
Invercargill trainer-driver Nathan Williamson’s appeal against a four-meeting ban for excessive use of the whip has failed.
Williamson drove favourite Tas Man Bromac to win narrowly at Winton on September 7, but was charged with hitting the horse 21 times in the final 400 metres and suspended, as it was his third offence.
Drivers can only hit a horse with the whip 10 times in the final 400m.
But the vastly-experienced Williamson (682 driving wins) maintains he only flicked the horse with the whip and there “wasn’t a mark on him’’.
He estimated the ban would cost him $4000 plus the $1000 he spent on the appeal and airfares to Christchurch and back.
He argued that a two-meeting ban and fine was more appropriate, but the JCA disagreed.
Williamson has yet to confirm a driver for Tas Man Bromac in the Hannon Memorial open-class pace at Oamaru on Sunday.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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