Wellington RC – 21 January 2006 – Race 7

hearingid: 782fb2ae8fb2e6d20458ce0d97538fee

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hearing_racingtype: thoroughbred-racing

startdate: 21/01/2006

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decisiondate: no date provided

hearing_title: Wellington RC - 21 January 2006 - Race 7

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Following the running of the Duxton Hotel Wellington Stakes, Mr L.N. McCutcheon, Chief Stipendiary Steward, lodged a protest under rule 876(1) against the winner WAHID (L. Innes)

Following the running of the Duxton Hotel Wellington Stakes, Mr L.N. McCutcheon, Chief Stipendiary Steward, lodged a protest under rule 876(1) against the winner WAHID (L. Innes) on the grounds of interference in the home straight to the third horse, ABBEY DRIVE (G.L. Cooksley). The relevant margins were one and a half lengths and a long neck.

Messrs N.H and R.T Stanley, WAHID?S owners, Mr A. Sharrock the trainer and Mr L. Innes the horse's rider attended the inquiry. Mr G.L Cooksley appeared on behalf of the connections of ABBEY DRIVE.

Mr McCutcheon used the head on, side and rear films of the final 100 metres to show WAHID take the lead when racing four to five horse widths out and then run inwards taking the line of WILLIE RYAN (S. Seamer) and then continue under a ride to 'shut the gate? on ABBEY DRIVE which was finishing strongly along the fence. Mr McCutcheon submitted that ABBEY DRIVE was running second at the point at which Mr Cooksley had to stand and steady his mount for five strides. Once rebalanced ABBEY DRIVE finished within a long neck of the second horse CHETTAK.

Mr Cooksley concurred with Mr McCutcheon's analysis and stated that the interference had cost him second and possibly the winning of the race such was his horse's momentum before the gap closed.

Questioned by Mr Innes he believed WAHID was about one and a quarter lengths in front at the point it took ABBEY DRIVE?S line. Mr Innes asserted he was one and a half lengths clear which in his view was a permissible crossing distance. He did not realise ABBEY DRIVE was on his inside and considered note should be taken of WAHID?S winning margin. Mr Sharrock and Mr Stanley added support to Mr Innes arguments.

The Committee finds that WAHID did cause significant interference when taking ABBEY DRIVE?S rightful line of running when not the required two lengths clear. ABBEY DRIVE was finishing powerfully along the fence and had run into second when Mr Cooksley was forced to sharply check his mount. Rebalanced ABBEY DRIVE finished on for a close third.

On the issue of whether or not to relegate we have considered the significance and effects of the interference, the close proximity to the finish where it occurred, the strong manner in which ABBEY DRIVE was running out the race and importantly the narrow margin of a long neck between third and second. Taking these matters into account and mindful that this is a Group race we nevertheless believe the interference clearly denied ABBEY DRIVE a chance of running second and we therefore exercise our discretion pursuant to rule 876 to relegate WAHID from first to third. The placings will now be

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1. Chettak
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2. Abbey Drive
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3. Wahid
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We direct the dividend and stakes be paid accordingly.

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hearing_type: Old Hearing

Rules: 876.1

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raceid: 1971c557f9ad8a99ecf6388ef8675576

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racecancelled: 0

race_noreport: 0

race_emailed1: 0

race_emailed2: 0

race_title: Race 7

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meetid: 0b3f0852572984c336cabf7f233c9b6c

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meetdate: 21/01/2006

meet_title: Wellington RC - 21 January 2006

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tracklocation: wellington-rc

meet_racingtype: thoroughbred-racing

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name: Wellington RC