Rotorua RC – 16 October 2004 – Race 3

After the running of race 3 an information was lodged instigating a protest pursuant to Rule 876(1). The protest was brought by jockey Gary Grylls (informant) rider of the second placed horse namely MATTER OF FAITH number 2. He alleged that the winner JOE?S COOK number 9 interfered with the chances of MATTER OF FAITH placed second by the Judge.

The relevant margin between first and second was half a head.

Mr Grylls/Mr D Roberts represented the connections of MATTER OF FAITH and jockey R Norvall represented the connections of JOE?S COOK.

The alleged interference is said to have occurred approximately 100 metres from the winning post.

Mr Grylls gave evidence and demonstrated on the film and showed that JOE?S COOK moved in causing outside pressure onto his mount. He claimed that the outward pressure caused interference to his mount at a critical stage of the race. He believed that his mount would have won the race if he had not been interfered with. He emphasized the short margin of half a head between first and second.

Mr D Roberts confirmed Mr Grylls' evidence. Mr Norvall gave evidence and demonstrated the incident on the race video. He said that his horse moved in slightly and the interference was insignificant.

We have to be satisfied that there was interference caused by the horse protested against and that that interference cost the other horse the chance of a better placing. We find that JOE?S COOK moved inwards at the 100 metre mark causing slight interference. This in our view was not as significant as narrated by jockey G Grylls. Mr Grylls did not stop riding and the incident happened approximately 100 metres from the winning post. The winner was running on at the finish and we are not satisfied the second horse would have made up the ground or that it cost half a head. Accordingly the protest is dismissed and the Judge's placings stand.