Forbury Park TC 22 April 2010 - R 5 (instigating a protest)
869(8)(b)
RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION
Informant: C Allison – Stipendiary Steward
Defendant: Mr K Coutts – Open Horseman
Information No: 14133 (instigating a protest)
Meeting: Forbury Park Trotting Club
Date: 22 April 2010
Venue: Forbury Park
Race: 5
Rule No: 869(8)(b)
Judicial Committee: Mr G Hall, Chairman – Mr D Steel, Committee Member
Mr Allison, stipendiary steward, alleged that shortly after the start FALSE PROMISE (K Coutts), placed 2nd by the Judge, broke checking BRUNO (T Woodward), placed 5th, with BRUNO losing considerable ground. He sought relegation of FALSE PROMISE to behind BRUNO pursuant to R 869(8)(b).
Placings were 10, 2, 4, 1, 11, 16.
Mr Allison had Mr Knowles, stipendiary steward, demonstrate the incident on 2 video angles. He stated that some 40 or 50 metres after the start FALSE PROMISE broke and came into contact with BRUNO, which was trying to avoid FALSE PROMISE by moving down on the track. BRUNO broke and lost about 20 metres before settling some 5 lengths behind FALSE PROMISE.
Mr Woodward stated he had tried unsuccessfully to avoid the breaking FALSE PROMISE and he had hit the back left of Mr Coutts’ cart as he attempted to go inside that horse. He added his horse had galloped as a consequence and he had lost ground. He stated he believed his chances had been affected by the incident.
Mr Coutts agreed his horse had broken free of interference and that BRUNO had galloped as a consequence, but he said his horse had put up such a phenomenal performance it would unfair to relegate FALSE PROMISE.
We are satisfied that FALSE PROMISE broke some 40 metres after the start and came into contact with BRUNO. The consequence was that BRUNO galloped, losing at least 20 metres. In exercising our discretion and relegating FALSE PROMISE to behind BRUNO we are satisfied that BRUNO received interference as a result of FALSE PROMISE breaking and that both the progress and the chances of BRUNO were affected thereby.
Amended placings are: 10, 4, 1, 11, 2, 16.
G Hall D Steel
CHAIR Committee Member
14133
