NZ Metro TC 19 September 2025 – R3 – WHO’S YA DADDY

Summary of Facts: 

Applicant, Stipendiary Steward Paul Williams,  filed an Information instigating a protest pursuant to r 859(2) as to “whether WHO’S YA DADDY, who finished in 2nd placing, started in advance of its correct barrier position.”

Rule 859(2) provides as follows:

(2) No driver shall permit a horse to start and no horse shall start other than from its correct barrier position or in advance of its correct barrier position (either at a standing, mobile, or moving start), unless directed by the Starter.

The provisional placings  were:

1st   No 5   KYVALLEY RAY

2nd  No 4   WHO’S YA DADDY

3rd  No 3    BECKY’S GIRL

4th  No 2    REGAL SUMMIT

5th  No 1    LEARNING TO FLY

Submissions for Decision:

Using the race films relating to the start Mr Williams, with the assistance of Chief Stipendiary Steward Nigel McIntyre, showed the lead up to the start and pointed out Mr Butt driving WHO’S YA DADDY, which had drawn the Unruly 1 position for the mobile start 1980 metres. It was shown that Mr Butt was in the correct position as required, to the outside of the horse drawn 3, being BECKY’S GIRL (B Williamson) in regard to the start, but it was alleged that WHO’S YA DADDY was possibly within the helmet of Mr Williamson, which is in the incorrect position at the start. At the start, Mr McIntyre stated, the unruly position in this event for Mr Butt, is behind the helmet of the outer Driver on the front line, being Mr Williamson. The race films used, being main straight head on and side on, were used to demonstrate the incident, with the head on film showing WHO’S YA DADDY in the correct position, behind the helmet of Mr Williamson, with the side on replay showing that Mr Butt may have been positioned inside Mr Williamson’s helmet at the start.

Mr Butt stated to the hearing, that he believed he was in the correct position at the start and that the Starter, Mr Donnelly, had spoken to him during the score up, to ease back to achieve the correct starting position.

Starter Ricky Donnelly, confirmed that he had instructed Mr Butt to ease back 1/2 a length, which he said, Mr Butt complied and as far he was concerned, Mr Butt was in the correct position as the start was made.

Reasons for Decision:

After reviewing the race films and evaluating the submissions from all parties, the Adjudicative Committee found that the replays of the incident were inconclusive, giving two conflicting angles of view. The Adjudicative Committee also found that the evidence from the Starter and Mr Butt, were concise and an assistance in this matter.

Taking all factors into consideration, including the inconclusive films available of the incident, and the evidence provided by the Starter and Mr Butt, the Adjudicative Committee determined that WHO’S YA DADDY did started in the correct position and accordingly, the protest is dismissed.

Decision:

The protest is dismissed and the Judge’s placings stand.