Avondale JC - 8 April 2010 - R 10

RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION

Informant:  Mr Williamson

Defendant:  N/A

Information No:  048 (instigating a protest)

Meeting:  Avondale Jockey Club

Date:  8 April 2010

Venue:  Avondale

Race:  10

Rule No:  642(1)

Judicial Committee:  R Seabrook, Chairman – D Johnstone, Committee Member 

Following Race 10 an Information was filed pursuant to rule 876 (1).  The Informant, Mr Williamson, alleged that COOL RADIANCE, placed first by the Judge, caused interference to THE DOW JONES placed second by the Judge, in the final 200 metres.  The margin between first and second was half a length.

All connections were informed of the protest but as the 2 trainers concerned were not on course, they both appointed representatives.

PRESENT AT THE ENQUIRY:

COOL RADIANCE                         Mr L Molloy, representing Trainer A Scott

                                                    Mr C Weaver, Owner

                                                    Mr V Ho, Jockey

THE DOW JONES                          Mrs M Murdoch, representing Mr S Ritchie

                                                    Mr J McDonald, Jockey

Mr Oatham demonstrated the video films and pointed out to the Committee, at a point just after passing the 200 metre mark, COOL RADIANCE moving out abruptly taking THE DOW JONES out approximately 6 horse widths.  Mr Oatham said this outward movement continued for some 100 metres.  He conceded that there was no contact between the 2 horses and that THE DOW JONES did move out on his own accord as well.

Mr J McDonald said that approaching the 200 metres he went up on the outside of COOL RADIANCE with plenty in hand.  He said he was then taken out and felt that if he had been able to go straight he would have won.  He added his mount became unbalanced and had certainly covered a lot of extra ground.

Mrs M Murdoch confirmed Mr McDonald’s statement and said THE DOW JONES had actually headed COOL RADIANCE when the outward movement began.  She said this caused THE DOW JONES to become unbalanced and lose momentum. Like Mr McDonald, she believed the horse would have won if she had been able to keep a straight line.

Mr V Ho, rider of COOL RADIANCE, said his mount was always going strongly but kept wanting to duck out towards the gaps.  However he said he was always going to beat the other horse.

Mr L Molloy, representing Trainer Mr A Scott, said it was clear on the films that Mr McDonald was having difficulty with his mount and had changed the whip over on 4 occasions.  He said both horses were green, there was no contact between the 2 of them and COOL RADIANCE was going away in the run to the post.  He believed the protest had no merit.

Mr Williamson, in summing up, said that THE DOW JONES did level with COOL RADIANCE but she had also moved out on her own accord.  He said it was over to the Committee to decide if the ground lost by THE DOW JONES had cost her the race.

DECISION

The Committee carefully considered all evidence as presented and reviewed the video films.  While we concede that THE DOW JONES was interfered with by the outward movement of COOL RADIANCE, we are not satisfied The Dow Jones would have beaten Cool Radiance if interference had not occurred.

Our reasons:

There was always a gap between the 2 horses and THE DOW JONES overreacted to the outward movement of COOL RADIANCE by moving wider on her own accord. 

Both horses raced greenly showing a tendency to wander in the run to the post.

Mr McDonald did not have to stop riding his mount.

The margin at the post was half a length and in the final 50 metres COOL RADIANCE put half a length on THE DOW JONES when both were racing freely.

Accordingly the protest is dismissed and the Judge’s placings shall stand.

Richard Seabrook                    D Johnstone

CHAIR                                     Committee Member

7629