NZ Metro TC 3 October 2024 – R1 – RUTHERFORD
ID: RIB46955
Animal Name:
RUTHERFORD
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
03/10/2024
Race Club:
NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc
Race Location:
Addington Raceway - 75 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington, Christchurch, 8024
Race Number:
R1
Hearing Date:
03/10/2024
Hearing Location:
Addington Raceway, Christchurch
Outcome: Determination
Penalty: N/A
BACKGROUND:
Following the running of Race 1, Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Nigel McIntyre presented an Information by way of a Request for a Ruling.
Details of the Ruling sought, was to determine if RUTHERFORD (R Close) was denied a fair start, when ALWAYS ON SALE broke late in the score up.
Rule 213(1)Â A Stipendiary Steward at any time may scratch from a race or declare ineligible to start in a race until a specific condition is met any horse on all or any of the following grounds: –
(j) if a horse was denied a fair start and such occurrence materially prejudiced the chances of that horse.
EVIDENCE:
Mr McIntyre played the race video of the start to identify Mr Close (RUTHERFORD) drawn 4 on the second line, following ALWAYS ON SALE (B Barclay). Mr McIntyre pointed to ALWAYS ON SALE break stride 20m before the start, resulting in Mr Close having to check his horse. He said there is no doubt RUTHERFORD has suffered interference; however, the question is, has RUTHERFORD been disadvantaged to the extent that it should be scratched from the race.
Mr Close referenced the video and said his horse has only lost a length or a length and a half and he was delighted, after checking off ALWAYS ON SALE’S back, to find the pylons which was the ideal place for the horse and the inconvenience was minimal.
Mr McIntyre, in summing up, said considering Mr Close’s evidence and on reviewing the video, the Stewards’ view of the incident aligns with Mr Close.
CONCLUSION:
Mr McIntyre has sought a Ruling, if the degree of inference to RUTHERFORD has materially prejudiced its chances.
The Adjudicative Committee considered the inconvenience suffered by RUTHERFORD was relatively minor and as Mr Close alluded to, received a better run than he was expecting. Given all parties were of the same view, it was determined that RUTHERFORD was to remain as a participant in the race.
Decision Date: 03/10/2024
Publish Date: 04/10/2024