Racing Rotorua – 13 May 2006 – Race 9
ID: JCA20458
Hearing Type (Code):
thoroughbred-racing
Decision: --
Following Race 9 an information was filed pursuant to Rules 912(1) &864(5) requesting a ruling as to whether several of the runners received a fair start.
--
Following Race 9 an information was filed pursuant to Rules 912(1) &864(5) requesting a ruling as to whether several of the runners received a fair start.
--All riders in the race were assembled and asked if they had received a fair start. It became apparent from their replies that, in the opinion of their riders, there were 8 horses that did not. Their estimated disadvantage suffered ranged from 1 length to 6 lengths with the average being 3-4 lengths.
--Mr Robinson, assistant Stipendary Steward, demonstrated the relevant videos which clearly showed at least 4 horses leaving the stalls before the other gates opened, but at the same time it was clear that 8 were very slow away.
--The Starter, Mr J Humphries, was questioned and he said that from his starting position behind the field he could not see if any gates were slow in opening. He did say, however, that when he pressed the starter button it did not feel right. He also explained that all Race Starters had been instructed not to declare a false start unless a horse was actually locked in the gates.
--Mr Moroney, trainer of GOLDSINGA, and Mr Skinner, owner of SANTOYA, both confirmed their jockey's statements saying their horses were denied a fair start.
--Mr Meade, part owner of ASCOT ISLE, placed 1st by the judge, said that although he noticed a ragged start his horse came from well back in the field and no horse had been prevented from starting.
--In summing up Mr Oatham said that the committee had to consider that 8 horses were affected by the slow opening of the gates.
--DECISION:
--The committee has carefully considered all of the evidence and viewed the video several times.
--The first question we have to determine under rule 912(1) is if any starter has been prevented from taking an effective part in the race due to mechanical failure of the starting stalls.
--We find that in this case 8 starting stalls did not open in unison with the remaining 7 stalls.
--Furthermore under rule 864(5) we have an absolute discretion to determine whether the race be deemed run or to be declared void. In exercising such discretion we shall have regard to the interests of the public who have invested on the race. The committee is clearly of the opinion that 8 out of the 15 starters were denied a fair start due to mechanical failure of the stalls. As a result of a majority of the field being denied a fair start we must assume that a majority of the betting public were denied a fair run for their money.
--Accordingly we rule that the running of race 9, the Rotorua Stakes, be declared void.
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R M Seabrook D C Johnstone
--Chairman
Decision Date: 13/05/2006
Publish Date: 13/05/2006
JCA Decision Fields (raw)
Dmitry: This section contains all JCA fields migrated from the raw data.
Data from these fields should be mapped appropriately to display amongst the standard fields above; please make note of any values below that are missing in the above standard fields but should be there.
hearingid: 8b1e54d2eee6bc81a6e54dce35f402a3
informantnumber:
horsename:
hearing_racingtype: thoroughbred-racing
startdate: 13/05/2006
newcharge:
plea:
penaltyrequired:
decisiondate: no date provided
hearing_title: Racing Rotorua - 13 May 2006 - Race 9
charge:
facts:
appealdecision:
isappeal:
submissionsfordecision:
reasonsfordecision:
Decision:
--Following Race 9 an information was filed pursuant to Rules 912(1) &864(5) requesting a ruling as to whether several of the runners received a fair start.
--
Following Race 9 an information was filed pursuant to Rules 912(1) &864(5) requesting a ruling as to whether several of the runners received a fair start.
--All riders in the race were assembled and asked if they had received a fair start. It became apparent from their replies that, in the opinion of their riders, there were 8 horses that did not. Their estimated disadvantage suffered ranged from 1 length to 6 lengths with the average being 3-4 lengths.
--Mr Robinson, assistant Stipendary Steward, demonstrated the relevant videos which clearly showed at least 4 horses leaving the stalls before the other gates opened, but at the same time it was clear that 8 were very slow away.
--The Starter, Mr J Humphries, was questioned and he said that from his starting position behind the field he could not see if any gates were slow in opening. He did say, however, that when he pressed the starter button it did not feel right. He also explained that all Race Starters had been instructed not to declare a false start unless a horse was actually locked in the gates.
--Mr Moroney, trainer of GOLDSINGA, and Mr Skinner, owner of SANTOYA, both confirmed their jockey's statements saying their horses were denied a fair start.
--Mr Meade, part owner of ASCOT ISLE, placed 1st by the judge, said that although he noticed a ragged start his horse came from well back in the field and no horse had been prevented from starting.
--In summing up Mr Oatham said that the committee had to consider that 8 horses were affected by the slow opening of the gates.
--DECISION:
--The committee has carefully considered all of the evidence and viewed the video several times.
--The first question we have to determine under rule 912(1) is if any starter has been prevented from taking an effective part in the race due to mechanical failure of the starting stalls.
--We find that in this case 8 starting stalls did not open in unison with the remaining 7 stalls.
--Furthermore under rule 864(5) we have an absolute discretion to determine whether the race be deemed run or to be declared void. In exercising such discretion we shall have regard to the interests of the public who have invested on the race. The committee is clearly of the opinion that 8 out of the 15 starters were denied a fair start due to mechanical failure of the stalls. As a result of a majority of the field being denied a fair start we must assume that a majority of the betting public were denied a fair run for their money.
--Accordingly we rule that the running of race 9, the Rotorua Stakes, be declared void.
--------
R M Seabrook D C Johnstone
--Chairman
sumissionsforpenalty:
reasonsforpenalty:
penalty:
hearing_type: Old Hearing
Rules: 864.5, 912.1
Informant:
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Respondent:
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