Manukau TC – 31 January 2008 – Race 9

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startdate: 31/01/2008

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hearing_title: Manukau TC - 31 January 2008 - Race 9

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Decision:

An information instigating a protest filed by Stipendiary Steward Mr B Williams on behalf of TURISMO, driven by Mr T MacFarlane, placed 6^th, against RICO GEAR, driven by Mr J Stormont, placed 2^nd, on the grounds of interference in the home straight.

Mr Stormont, who is also the trainer of RICO GEAR represented the connections of that horse and Mr MacFarlane who is also the trainer of TURISMO, represented the connections of that horse.  The protest was contested.

Mr Williams demonstrated the incident by use of the video film.  RICO GEAR led into the home straight and then moved outwards sharply.  ALEXANDER THE GREAT, driven by Mr S Reid, which was racing outside RICO GEAR was forced wider.  TURISMO was racing outside ALEXANDER THE GREAT and the eventual winner RETURN FIRE driven by Mr F Cooney was outside TURISMO.  The outward movement of RICO GEAR and ALEXANDER THE GREAT resulted in TURISMO being checked, losing about 1.5 lengths and also momentum.  TURISMO was denied the line of running it was entitled to.  TURISMO had to be sharply checked again later in the home straight because its running line had been denied.  Mr Williams said the chances of TURISMO gaining a higher placing had been affected.

Mr MacFarlane said TURISMO had been checked by pressure from the inside and but for that probably would have finished fourth.  The official margin between 4^th and 6^th was .8 of a length.

Mr Reid said the outward movement of RICO GEAR had affected/dictated the running line of ALEXANDER THE GREAT for the first 100 metres of the home straight.  His chances of finishing 2^nd were not affected.  Mr Stormont said ALEXANDER THE GREAT overreacted to the outward movement of RICO GEAR.  He did not believe RICO GEAR should be penalised.

DECISION AND REASONS :

I accept the evidence of Mr Williams, Mr MacFarlane and Mr Reid.  Their evidence is confirmed by the video film.  The outward movement of RICO GEAR resulted in TURISMO being checked, losing about 1.5 lengths and importantly, also momentum.  The margin between 4^th and 6^th was .8 of a length.  I am satisfied but for the interference, it is very likely TURISMO would have finished at least 4^th.  The protest is upheld.  RICO is relegated to immediately behind TURISMO – ie to 6^th, the final placings then being :

7,  2,  10,  5,  6,  4.

B Rowe

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hearing_type: Old Hearing

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raceid: fba4eda4fbcb4ecbe78ae53289d7b662

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race_title: Race 9

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meetdate: 31/01/2008

meet_title: Manukau TC - 31 January 2008

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name: Manukau TC