Otaki-Maori RC – 27 March 2008 – Race 2

hearingid: 441f989cc067eb6a7ed078bee3133869

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hearing_racingtype: harness-racing

startdate: 27/03/2008

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decisiondate: no date provided

hearing_title: Otaki-Maori RC - 27 March 2008 - Race 2

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Decision:

Following the running of Race 2 Mr. Michael Walker lodged a protest under Rule 876 (1) alleging that TSONGA or its rider placed second by the Judge interfered with the chances of SAM'S TOWN placed fourth by the Judge.

Following the running of Race 2 Mr. Michael Walker lodged a protest under Rule 876 (1) alleging that Tsonga or its rider placed second by the Judge interfered with the chances of Sam’s Town placed fourth by the Judge.

The interference occurred in the final straight.

The Judge’s placings were:

1   – Volkarrie

4   – Tsonga

10 – Kategic

2   - Sam’s Town

The margin between third and fourth was ¾ length.

The information was filed with the registrar within the time prescribed.

Mr. Walker represented the connections of Sam’s Town.

Mr.Hannam, Mr Bergeson and Mr.S.Williams were present for Tsonga.

There was a delay starting the enquiry while the connections of Tsonga were called over the course PA system to attend the hearing.

Mr. Walker used the head-on, side and rear films to show his mount trailing Tsonga (Mr. Hannam) in the home straight. A run, approximately one and a half to two horse widths wide, opened up for him on the inside of this horse. As Mr. Walker moved up to a position inside the hindquarters of Tsonga the gap closed on him when Mr. Hannam’s mount moved inwards. Mr. Walker had nowhere to go and had to check his mount and angle outwards to avoid the heels of Tsonga. He was forced to come wide to find a clear run to the line which eventually he did finishing strongly for fourth placing. Mr. Walker maintained that the interference definitely cost him third place.

Mr. Hannam said that the gap that presented on his inside was probably not big enough for a two year old having its first start (Sam’s Town) to go through. He maintained that he only moved inwards a little bit and that for most of the final stages he held his line.

He believed that there had to be some leeway for two year olds having their first starts.

Mr. Bergeson said that if Mr. Walker had been traveling well enough he would have continued to push up inside the gap.

Mr. George was asked to give evidence and he said that early in the home straight Mr Walker was held up behind the leaders. Mr. Hannam rolled out under pressure allowing Mr. Walker the inside run, which he took, improving up to 3/4length inside Mr.Hannam’s mount. At this stage Mr. Hannam moved back in interfering with the line of Mr. Walker who was forced to take hold of his mount.

Decision

Rule 876 (1) requires us to ask first whether interference occurred and then, if so, whether that interference has cost the horse interfered with a chance of finishing in a better position.

We are satisfied having viewed the films and listening to the evidence that interference has occurred.

The films clearly show Mr. Walker up inside Mr. Hannam’s mount in the run home and then after the interference he is two lengths behind Mr Hannam.

Mr Walker not only had to drop back and take hold of his mount, but had to come wide across the track in search for a clear path through. Once he found that clear line and became balanced he finished on strongly.

In terms of the rules we have a discretion in relation to the placings. We have taken into account the amount of ground lost by Mr. Walker (2 lengths) and the margin at the finish between third and fourth of ¾ length. We also note the critical stage of the race that the interference occurred and the strong manner in which Sam’s Town was finishing the race.

Accordingly we exercise our discretion in favour of changing the placings.

They now read:

1        - Volkarrie

10 -  Kategic

2  -  Sam’s Town

4  -  Tsonga

Dividends are to be paid accordingly.

N.Moffatt                                                                                                P.Williams

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hearing_type: Old Hearing

Rules: 876.1

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raceid: da49f12cd32fb69a6d130edf8c54deb9

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race_title: Race 2

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meetdate: 27/03/2008

meet_title: Otaki-Maori RC - 27 March 2008

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name: Otaki-Maori RC