Jonny, I reiterate Sam did manifestly overdo the whipp8mg without doubt, and no real defence either!
However, there is a common trend that happens with many of the decisions made, and that is that the easykill are always targeted, and the big names are shown leniency and favoured.
There are many instances of this which there is no point going into at this stage.
Not defending Sam Thornley whatsoever and he should receive some sort of punishment.
Have never seen him drive before and so just going off the one and only drive that he had on Copperhead Rose which I understand now is a male horse rather than female, as it name suggest more on the female side.
The horse only responds to serious urgings as previous wins have shown it is the only way he wins.
Apart from the excessive whip Sam drove the horse perfectly and sending him back to the trials to learn more is not necessarily the right way for him to learn that he used the whip far too many times!
We need as many young ones coming into harness racing rather than driving them out of the sport, and geez we have got a major shortage of male juniors throughout the country at the moment and probably not looking too promising in the future!
First drive and we castigate the young fellah and yes it was pretty reckless, however a severe telling off and maybe some work helping someone out unpaid would be more of a suitable punishment.
Hopefully this young fellah doesn’t spit the dummy and leave the industry as I believe he has the makings of a very successful junior.
As for the other stuff Johnny, you could be right, just frustrating when things are brought in to the detriment of the punter, who,without them, racing is done!