Wellington RC – 7 April 2007 –

hearingid: 141dbf568724aba3f51d6f3110d04244

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hearing_racingtype: thoroughbred-racing

startdate: 07/04/2007

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hearing_title: Wellington RC - 7 April 2007 -

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Following the running of the Stella Artois Easter Cup, Stipendiary Steward Mr N Goodwin initiated a protest under Rule 876 (1) alleging interference to the third placed horse, TAIKOREA

Following the running of the Stella Artois Easter Cup, Stipendiary Steward Mr N Goodwin initiated a protest under Rule 876 (1) alleging interference to the third placed horse, TAIKOREA, ridden by P Holmes, by the second placed horse, PRIZED PUNCH, ridden by P Bell. The margin second to third was a head.

At the hearing Messrs P Holmes, H Matthews (trainer) and J Creaven (owner) represented the interests of TAIKOREA. Messrs P Bell, J Phillips (trainer) and G McInteer (owner) represented the interests of PRIZED PUNCH.

Stipendiary Steward Mr Goodwin used the rear, head and side on films of the final 200 metres to assert that PRIZED PUNCH shifted out across the line of TAIKOREA and forced Mr Holmes to take hold and change ground for an inside run.

Mr Holmes stated that he was attempting to take a gap outside TAIKOREA when that horse rolled out when barely a length in front of his horse. He was obliged to take hold of his mount and ease it over the heels of TAIKOREA for an inside run. He believed the loss of momentum cost him the race.

Mr Matthews concurred with this assessment of the incident and noted that TAIKOREA was a long striding horse which would be affected more than most by the interference from PRIZED PUNCH.

Mr Phillips did not believe Mr Holmes had stopped riding throughout the incident and also felt MILES had moved in contributing to the cramped quarters of TAIKOREA. He did not believe TAIKOREA lost any momentum and considered the films showed TAIKOREA head PRIZED PUNCH close to the line before succumbing to the latter's finish.

Mr Bell acknowledged Mr Holmes had to ease across his heels but did not believe he stopped riding.

Mr McInteer referred to the films to assert that PRIZED PUNCH was clear of TAIKOREA in the course of its outward movement and that Mr Holmes was not inconvenienced in his ability to ride TAIKOREA out.

Mr Goodwin concluded by submitting that PRIZED PUNCH shifted out when insufficiently clear and forced TAIKOREA to change its line in circumstances where the momentum lost affected its chances of finishing in a higher placing.

The Committee considered the submissions put to it and reviewed the films at length. We find that PRIZED PUNCH did shift out when insufficiently clear of TAIKOREA and force Mr Holmes to take hold of his mount for four or five strides and then change ground at a crucial point in the run to the line. The margin second to third was a head and we consider that the momentum and ground lost by TAIKOREA in being forced off its rightful line of running had a material effect on the horse's chance of finishing in a higher placing. We are satisfied that TAIKOREA's chances of finishing in a higher placing were significantly affected by the interference from PRIZED PUNCH and accordingly determine that PRIZED PUNCH should be relegated to third. The protest is upheld and the amended placings are :

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1. ALL SQUARE
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2. TAIKOREA
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3. PRIZED PUNCH

We direct the dividends and stakes be paid accordingly.

N Harris

Chairman

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hearing_type: Old Hearing

Rules: 876.1

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