Auckland TR 8 November 2025 – R6 (request for a ruling) – I’M ALL IN

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 6, the Applicant Mr B Jones, lodged an Information requesting a Ruling pursuant to Rule 632(1) to establish was I’M ALL IN denied a fair start.

I’M ALL IN did not finish in the first four placings.

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.”

Submissions for Decision:

Using the head‑on race films, the Applicant, Mr Jones, demonstrated the start. He submitted that I’M ALL IN was fractious in the barriers, rearing once before an attendant took hold of its bridle. The horse reared again a second time just as the gates opened, and the Rider, Ms Barnes, confirmed that the attendant still had hold of the horse at that moment.

Starter Mr McGovern noted that the horse “has history” in the starting gates.
Mr Jones submitted that the question for the Adjudicative Committee was whether the horse was slow away of its own accord, or as a result of being held when the gates opened.

Reasons for Decision:

The Adjudicative Committee carefully considered all submissions and the film evidence. It was clear that I’M ALL IN was being fractious in the starting gates and had previously displayed such behaviour. However, at the moment the gates opened, it was being held by an attendant positioned alongside. While it is possible the horse might have been slow away regardless, the Adjudicative Committee found that external interference had occurred and therefore it was appropriate to declare the horse a non-runner.

Decision:

Under Rule 632(1), the Adjudicative Committee determined that I’M ALL IN was denied a fair start for reasons beyond its own behaviour and is accordingly, declared a non‑runner. Payment of dividends was authorised.