Oamaru HRC 26 September 2010 - R 4 (instigating a protest)
869(7B)
RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION
Informant: Mr N Ydgren, stipendiary steward
Defendant: Mr C Thornley and Mr S Moore
Information No: 14562 (Instigating a protest)
Meeting: Oamaru Harness Racing Club
Date: 26 September 2010
Venue: Oamaru Raceway
Race: 7
Rule Nos: 869(7B)
Judicial Committee: Geoff Hall, Chairman – John Eagles, Committee Member
Plea: N/A
Also Present:
CHARGES:
This was a protest by Mr Ydgren against horse number 6, FAKE CHANCE, placed 4th by the Judge, on the ground that the horse was inside the marker for at least 30 metres when rounding the final bend.
FACTS:
Judges placings were:
1: 8, CULLENS’ CREEK
2: 9, OHOKA DALLAS
3: 7, BONDY
4: 6, FAKE CHANCE
5: 10, POWER OF TARA
Mr Ydgren had Mr McIntyre demonstrate the incident. The video showed that FAKE CHANCE, which was 3 back on inside rounding the home turn, came into contact with 3 marker pegs. The distance between the first and the last of these pegs was established to be 30.7 metres. However, a 4th peg, which would have been the 2nd peg in the sequence, had been dislodged the first time the field had raced round the bend. When the video was slowed down it could clearly be seen that the inside wheel of FAKE CHANCE’s cart travelled over the hole left by the missing marker. The wheel can be seen to jump up briefly as it hits the hole.
REASON(s):
The rule requires disqualification if a horse has been inside the markers for a distance of more than 30 metres. As FAKE CHANCE was not inside the marker at this time (or inside the point of the track where the marker would have been), we are not satisfied to the necessary standard that there has been a breach of rule 869(7B).
DECISION:
The protest is dismissed and the Judge’s placings stand.
