Otago RC 17 October 2025 – R7 (request for a ruling) – IFFIDIDIT
ID: RIB59750
Animal Name:
IFFIDIDIT
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
17/10/2025
Race Club:
Otago Racing Club
Race Location:
Wingatui Racecourse - 285 Gladstone Road North, Mosgiel, Dunedin,
Race Number:
R7
Hearing Date:
17/10/2025
Hearing Location:
Dunedin
Outcome: Determination
Penalty: IFFIDIDIT declared to be a non-starter
Mr Davidson requested a Ruling pursuant to Rule 632(1) in that IFFIDIDIT (Mr Jacobson) be declared a non-starter after the gate on the starting stall failed to open properly, denying the gelding a fair start in Race 7.
Rule 632(1) provides: If, in the opinion of the Adjudicative Committee, a horse which does not finish in the first four placings 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 by its own accord), the Adjudicative Committee may declare such horse to be a non-starter.
Mr Davidson demonstrated on the front-on and side-on videos that 2 gates were slow to open. In these gates were BALZANO (Mr Moseley) and IFFIDIDIT. BALZANO’s gate opened slightly before that of IFFIDIDIT. As BALZANO finished 4th, the Stewards did not seek a Ruling in respect of that horse.
Mr Jacobson said he was aware at the time the gate was slow in opening, as the horse had tried to jump away at the same time as the rest of the field. He was at the rear of the field on settling. His intention was to take a prominent position in the race, and he was unable to do so, due to the fact that he was denied this opportunity by the gate malfunctioning.
The Adjudicative Committee is satisfied in accordance with Rule 632(1) that due to a mechanical failure of the starting gate, IFFIDIDIT was denied a fair start, which materially prejudiced the horse’s chances. In these circumstances, IFFIDIDIT is declared to be a non-starter.
Decision Date: 17/10/2025
Publish Date: 22/10/2025