Miller Disqualified For A Year Over Modified Whip
- Monday, 26 October 2009 14:30
Miller, 17, fronted RWWA stewards late yesterday and pleaded not guilty to two whip related charges.
The particulars of the first charge being that Miller carried and used a whip which had weighted objects in the padded section of the whip.
The second charge was for carrying a whip which was not in a satisfactory condition.
After taking all evidence and Miller's not guilty plea into consideration, stewards disqualified the young hoop for 12 months, with his ban commencing from the 4th of October earlier this year.
Stewards discovered Miller with a modified whip at Belmont on October 3, after closely examining all the whips of riders engaged at the meeting.
News of Miller's modified whip spread to other racing jurisdictions where stewards at Morphettville and Warwick Farm on Monday the 5th of October put the whips of every rider through a metal detector.
Today was the fourth hearing into the matter and more evidence was submitted by Miller, his mother Sharon, trainer Neville Parnham, and Miller's legal representative Ms Belinda Lonsdale before arriving at their decision.
In sanctioning Miller, stewards took into consideration several factors such as the seriousness of the charge, the prejudicial image of racing, the welfare of the animal and the fact Miller is still an apprentice.
Miller was disqualified for 12 months under the first charge of improper practice while his six month ban for using a whip in an unsatisfactory condition will be served concurrently.
RSPCA spokesman Richard Barry applauded RWWA's strong stance and denounced Miller's actions.
"We're very happy that an individual who has been bludgeoning these horses, more than a hundred of them over a three month period, will no longer be able to mount a horse and whip it with what amounts to an improvised mace," Mr Barry told ABC Perth.
Miller has 14 days to appeal the decision.
