Invercargill HRC 19 October 2010 - R 2 (Instigating a protest) No 2

RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION

Informant:  Mr C J Allison (Stipendiary Steward)       

Defendant:  Mr N Williamson (Driver and representing owners of Avalon Sunset)

Information No:  13723 (Instigating a protest)

Meeting:  Invercargill Harness Racing Club

Date:  19 October, 2010

Venue:  Ascot Park, Invercargill

Race:  2

Rule No:  870 (3)(4)(a)Breaking horse regulation.

Judicial Committee:  Mr N Skelt, Chairman- Mr A Dennis, Committee Member

Also Present:  Mr P T Knowles (Stipendiary Steward)

FACTS:

Following the running of Race 2 the Pres Discretionary Handicap Trot a protest was lodged by Stipendiary Steward Mr C J Allison alleging that the fourth placed horse by the judge Avalon Sunset (N Williamson Bond with approximately 70 metres to run  broke from it’s gait and failed to return to it’s proper gait when reaching the finishing post.

The information reads as follows:

Rule 870 (3) and (4) (a) provides as follows:

(3) Any horse which breaks from it’s gait shall promptly regain it’s proper gait;

(4)Any horse which breaks from it’s gait in any race and :-(a)which fails to gain it’s proper gait, may(in addition to any other penalty imposed pursuant to rule 1003 here of)subject to the provisions of the Breaking Horse Regulations made by the Board, be placed but the Judicial Committee immediately after any horse in respect of which any advantage may have been gained.

The official judges’ placings read

1^st  Patienceofasaint (no.7 J. COX)

2^nd  Shezadorabil (no.5 C. BUCHAN)

3^rd  Superstarourwishes (no.1 J BOND)

4^th  Avalon Sunset (no.8 N. WILLIAMSON)

5^th  Honey Pie (no.4 F. SERVICE)

SUBMISSION(s):

Mr Allison (Stipendiary Steward) used several video clips of the alleged incident highlighting the breaking of Avalon Sunset from it’s gait at the 70metre mark to the winning post.

Mr Allison stated that Mr Williamson had not contributed to the incident with the horse breaking free of interference and not causing any interference to any other horse.

Mr Williamson (Driver of Avalon Sunset) agreed with Mr Allison’s submission and did not contest the protest.

DECISION:

The committee upheld the protest as it was satisfied that Avalon Sunset had broken for at least 70metres and did not return to it’s proper gait.

As a result the horse was disqualified from 4^th  placing. Accordingly the revised placings will be:

1^st  Paitienceofasaint

2^nd  Shezadorabil

3^rd  Honey Pie

4^th  Scrivelsby (M. WILLIAMSON)