Winton HRC – 30 March 2008 –

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startdate: 30/03/2008

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hearing_title: Winton HRC - 30 March 2008 -

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An information instigating a protest was lodged by Stipendiary Steward Mr C J Allison after race 4, the Gibson-Smith Bloodstock Mobile Pace, into the horse placed fourth by the judge, MEGLEA, driven by Mr R Tither. 

Mr Allison alleged that with approximately 350 metres to run MEGLEA moved inwards checking FRANKO AMITY, CRUZHEDOZ, FORRESTERS, and HOT SHOT BABE.

Stipendiary Steward Mr Knowles was situated at the top of the straight and stated he had a clear view of the alleged incident.  Mr Knowles stated that at the 350 mark MEGLEA was racing three wide, with FRANCO AMITY racing two wide, and CRUZHEDOZ on the fence line.  He continued by using several video clips of the alleged incident, highlighting, in his opinion, MEGLEA drifting in when not sufficiently clear, clipping FRANCO AMITY, causing that horse to break and lose approximately five to  six lengths.

Mr Knowles also stated that CRUZHEDOZ, FORRESTERS and HOT SHOT BABE also had their chances severely affected.

Mr Butt, driving FRANCO AMITY, stated that his horse was ‘battling on’ at the time of the incident.  In his opinion he believed his horse could have run into a place and that FRANCO AMITY ran on well over the latter part of the race.  Mr Butt stated clearly that MEGLEA had moved inwards onto his horse, causing it to break and lose momentum.

Mr Barron, trainer of MEGLEA, agreed that MEGLEA has moved inwards, as a result of the earplugs being removed.  He did not believe any of the horses who had allegedly been affected, would have finished in front of MEGLEA, as all were struggling to make ground in his opinion at the point of MEGLEA moving inwards.

Mr Tither, driving MEGLEA, agreed with Mr Barron’s comments, stating that the margins between the affected horses were significant.  Mr Allison reinforced that there was two and a half lengths between the stake bearing places, with the Club paying back to fifth placed.

DECISION

The protest was upheld with MEGLEA being disqualified from fourth placing to fourteenth placing.  Clearly, in my opinion, MEGLEA has moved inwards when not sufficiently clear and has checked FRANCO AMITY, who in turn has affected the chances of CRUZHEDOZ, FORRESTERS and HOT SHOT BABE.

Mr Butt’s evidence was also significant in that he believed his horse had finished the race off well, and could have filled a dividend bearing place.  Mr Barron and Mr Tither had both also admitted that MEGLEA had moved inwards.

N Skelt

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