Marlborough HRC – 20 January 2008 – Race 4

hearingid: d3411e460dfcb29c0c0679d5ba37e9e4

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hearing_racingtype: harness-racing

startdate: 20/01/2008

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decisiondate: no date provided

hearing_title: Marlborough HRC - 20 January 2008 - Race 4

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Following the running of Race 4, a protest was lodged by the Stipendiary Stewards under Rule 870(5), against horse no. 12, Paris Hilton (C De Filippi), placed 1st by the Judge, on the grounds that it had broken from its gait and was lapped on

Following the running of Race 4, a protest was lodged by the Stipendiary Stewards under Rule 870(5), against horse no. 12, Paris Hilton (C De Filippi), placed 1st by the Judge, on the grounds that it had broken from its gait and was lapped on by horse no. 4, Harper Road.

The placings were: 12 - 4 - 15 - 9 - 13 - 1, and the margin between 1st and 2nd was 3/4 length.

Introducing her case, stipendiary steward Mrs Williams said that Harper Road lead the field and, close to the finish, was challenged on the outside by the fast-finishing Paris Hilton, driven by Mr De Filippi. She said that, just prior to the finish line, Paris Hilton bobbled and, when its nose touched the line, it was not in its correct gait, and was lapped on by Harper Road on the inside.

Mrs Williams referred to the videos of the finish to support the stewards’ view.

Driver, Mr De Filippi, representing the connections, did not accept that Paris Hilton had broken short of the line. He conceded that the horse did bobble and break, but said he had dropped the reins because he thought he was over the line. In also referring to the videos, he said there was difficulty in showing on the video where the actual finishing line was, and it was his contention that he broke after the line.

Mrs Williams pointed out where the stewards accepted as the finishing line and, although she acknowledged there was some difficulty, she was confident the video supported the view that Mr De Filippi’s horse went out of its gait short of the line, was in a break at the line, and was lapped on by the inside horse.

To endeavour to help determine matters, the chairman sought and obtained a copy of the photofinish of the race, and it was of assistance.

This is a protest under Rule 870(5) - the Lapped On Rule - lodged against horse 12, Paris Hilton, on the grounds that, at the finish of the race, it was in a break and was lapped on by horse 4, Harper Road.

There is no dispute that the horse went out of its gait, but it was driver Mr De Filippi’s contention that it broke after the finishing line and, in supporting his view, he claimed there was difficulty in determining precisely where the finish line was.

After hearing the evidence, and viewing the videos of the race, I am satisfied that Paris Hilton broke short of the line and was out of its gait at the finish of the race. I accept that Mr De Filippi could have believed he was over the line, particularly being unsure of the angle of the finish as it crosses the track, but I accept the determination of the stipendiary stewards in this respect.

This decision is supported by the photofinish of the race, which clearly shows Paris Hilton out of its gait as it reaches the finish line. The protest is upheld.

As it is lapped on to the then 2nd-placed horse, Harper Road, relegation under this Rule is mandatory. Paris Hilton is therefore relegated to 2nd, and the placings are now:-

1. 4 Harper Road

2. 12 Paris Hilton

3. 15 Dazzle Bromac

4. 9 Emma Rose

5. 13 Chief Inanga

6. 1 Bank Roll

P.H.Welch

Chairman

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hearing_type: Old Hearing

Rules: 870.5

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raceid: d67f6a0da1a13b6a7d0e30ee9bfd98cb

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race_title: Race 4

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meetdate: 20/01/2008

meet_title: Marlborough HRC - 20 January 2008

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tracklocation: marlborough-hrc

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name: Marlborough HRC