Taranaki TR 16 September 2010 - R 8 (instigating a protest)
642(1)
RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION
Informant: O Bosson
Defendant: B Lammas
Information No: 30898 (Instigating a protest)
Meeting: Taranaki Thoroughbred Racing
Date: 16 September 2010
Venue: Pukekura Raceway
Race: 8
Rule No: 642(1)
Judicial Committee: I D Smith, Chairman - P Williams, Committee Member
Present: S Dravitski trainer Blakmandu - rider B Lammas, O Bosson rider Hurricane Mickey, also representing the trainers M and B Baker and the owners.
CHARGES:
Following the running of race 8 a protest was lodged by O Bosson the rider of Hurricane Mickey pursuant to rule 642(1) that Blackmandu or its rider placed 1st by the judge interfered with the chances of Hurricane Mickey placed 2nd by the judge in the home straight.
Margins: Head.
Rule 642(1) reads If a placed horse or its rider causes interference within the meaning of this rule 642 to another placed horse, and the Judicial Committee is of the opinion that the horse so interfered with would have finished ahead of the first mentioned horse had such interference not occurred, they may place the first mentioned horse immediately after the horse interfered with.
Mr Goodwin Stipendiary Steward read the rule which was, confirmed and understood by all parties .
SUBMISSIONS:
Mr Bosson using the video films identified the horses concerned, where, approximately half way down the straight he was traveling quite well, B Lammas came to him on the inside about the 150 metre mark, moved out sharply ,and bumped Hurricane Mickey. This has put him off stride and he lost momentum, put him out of the saddle, then has had to rebalance and go again to the finish. Without that bump he thought he would have won the race as there was only a head in it at the finish.
When questioned by the panel Mr Bosson confirmed Blakmandu put a head on him prior to the point of contact.
Mr Lammas claimed his horse, when running on from behind Hurricane Mickey had received the same amount of damage and has continued on and still beaten him home.
Ms Dravitski stated the bump was minimal, her horse did come out but it was just a touch. Blakmandu was always in front from the 150metres and without the contact would still have won the race.
Mr Goodwin, stipendiary steward in giving his observation stated Blakmandu has come from behind Hurricane Mickey; he has over reacted when being ridden out and bumped Hurricane Mickey who may have been unbalanced for a stride when both horses were finishing strongly. Mr Bosson has not stopped riding and Blakmandu was holding its ground well at the line. In the steward’s opinion the status quo should remain.
DECISION and REASONS:
The committee has considered carefully the submissions and evidence from the video of the incident.
Entering the home straight Blakmandu was racing on the inside and behind Hurricane Mickey. With approximately 150m to run Blakmandu was marginally in front of Hurricane Mickey when it moved outwards and bumped Hurricane Mickey. Mr Bosson stated he was put off balance and lost momentum as a result of the bump he received. The committee does not agree with Mr Bosson as is clearly shown by the video evidence. The committee do agree with Mr Bosson in that at no stage did he stop riding his mount out to the line. Both Hurricane Mickey and Blakmandu finished the race off strongly with Blakmandu continuing to maintain the advantage it had at the 150m all the way to the finish line. The bump that Hurricane Mickey received was not sufficient for the committee to be wholly satisfied that, had it not occurred, it would have beaten Blakmandu and won the race.
Accordingly the protest is dismissed. Judges placing stand.
