Waikato TR 8 February 2025 – R9 (request for a ruling) – SLIPPER ISLAND and I’M ALL IN

Background:

Following the running of Race 9, several Jockeys presented themselves to the Stewards Room, advising that they thought their horses were denied a fair start from the starting barriers. The Stewards requested all Jockeys to present themselves to the Stewards Room and advise whether they thought their chances were affected, due to a failure of the gates to open when the starting button was engaged. As a result, three Riders confirmed that they believed their horse’s chances were affected, the siren was sounded and a request for a ruling was submitted to the Adjudicative Committee.

Evidence:

George Rooke (Rider of DECEMBER), Warren Kennedy (I’M ALL IN) and Rory Hutchings (SLIPPER ISLAND) confirmed that it was their belief that their horse’s chances had been materially prejudiced as a result of a starting barrier malfunction. Chairman of Stewards Mr Brady Jones, lodged an Information on the Riders’ behalf, requesting a ruling pursuant to Rules 918(1) and 632(1) to establish whether said horses were denied a fair start.

Rule 632(1) provides “If, in the opinion of the Adjudicative Committee, a horse which does not finish in the first four placing’s was prevented from taking an effective part in a race owing to the mechanical failure of starting stalls, or is denied a fair start and such occurrence materially prejudiced the chances of that horse (but not where the horse is slow away of its own accord), the Adjudicative Committee may declare such horse to be a non-starter.”

Due to the horse DECEMBER (George Rooke) finishing in 4th position, in accordance with the Rule, it was excluded from the Information and maintained its 4th place finishing position.

Submissions for Decision:

Using the head-on films, Mr Jones identified the affected horses, and invited Mr Moody (the Raceday Starter) to provide submissions as to what occurred at the start.

All horses were loaded into the gates. Mr Moody said the button was up and the green light was on (indicating the start was to be effected), he said “watch the gates” and depressed the starting button. Mr Moody said the gates did not open and the gates had “malfunctioned”. He said that the procedure to follow this is to then twist the button to reset the gates (and the power), however, upon resetting the gates, they opened without warning. Mr Moody re-iterated that the gates had malfunctioned, he said that once the green button is depressed, power is lost and the only way to regain power is to twist the button to get the power back on.

Mr Kennedy (I’M  ALL IN) said his horse was ready the first time, he said he slammed him forward expecting the gates to open (they didn’t), he said his horse became unsettled and then the gates opened.

Mr Hutchings said his horse was ready the first time, but the gates didn’t open. He added that his horse wasn’t standing up properly and he was awaiting Starter’s instructions, when the gates opened. He said as a result, his horse jumped straight in the air and took no part in the race.

Stipendiary Steward B Jones opened the Stewards’ submissions by referring to the Starter’s protocol, specifically referring to the verbal sequence that takes place immediately prior to the button being deployed (for the gates to open). The last call which is “watch the gates”, is the signal for all Handlers/Barrier Assistants to release any horses they are assisting and also for the Riders to anticipate the start.

He said that there were two Attendants with Mr Kennedy’s horse, one who had a hold of the horse’s ear. He said as a result of the delayed start, it needed to be considered that the Handler hadn’t let go of the horse when the gates opened. He added that Mr Kennedy also had a hand on the side of the barriers as the gate opened and it would be fair to conclude, he wasn’t expecting the gates to open.

In relation to Mr Hutchings’ evidence, he said the Stewards would find it difficult to argue what was put forward, however the horse may have reared slightly when exiting the barriers, which could have been by its own accord. He concluded by re-iterating again, it would be hard to argue against Mr Hutchings, that his horse wasn’t ready, as the verbal sequence wasn’t followed prior to the start.

Reasons for Decision:

The Adjudicative Committee noted that I’M ALL IN and SLIPPER ISLAND, both missed the start by several lengths. In determining whether the horses were denied a fair start, the Adjudicative Committee needed to establish as to whether a mechanical failure of the barriers had taken place and/or there were any other external contributing factors that could materially prejudice a horse’s chances of gaining a fair start.

The Adjudicative Committee was of the view that a “mechanical failure” had occurred, in that the barriers did not open as they were meant to and there was some delay as to them opening. Further to this, with the barriers not opening, the correct process should have been a barrier reset and the verbal sequence for starting re-enacted  (this did not occur as the barriers opened in error when the barrier reset process was taking place.)

Decision:

Accordingly, under the provisions of the Rule, the Adjudicative Committee is of the opinion SLIPPER ISLAND and I’M ALL IN were denied a fair start, and such occurrence materially prejudiced the chances of both horses. As a result, the Adjudicative Committee declares both runners as non starters.