Banks Peninsula TC 29 December 2025 – R12 – ROCK LOBSTER
ID: RIB62208
Animal Name:
ROCK LOBSTER
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
29/12/2025
Race Club:
Banks Peninsula Trotting Club
Race Location:
Motukarara Racecourse - 43 Duck Pond Road, Motukarara, 7672
Race Number:
R12
Hearing Date:
29/12/2025
Hearing Location:
Motukarara
Outcome: Protest Dismissed
Penalty: N/A
Summary of Facts:
Following the running of Race 12, the Applicant Chief Stipendiary Steward Nigel McIntyre, filed an Information pursuant to Rule 870(4)(d) instigating a protest alleging “that ROCK LOBSTER broke entering the home straight failing to lose ground.”
The Respondent, Open Driver John Dunn was present at the hearing and indicated the protest was contested.
The Judge’s provisional placings were:
1st – No. 12 LOVE WALKED IN
2nd – No. 14 ROCK LOBSTER
3rd – No. 10 LOOKSLIKEATRIXTER
4th – No. 9 KAIRAKI SPUR
Rule 870(2)(c)
870(2) The following shall be a breach of sub-rule (1) hereof:
(c) failure to lose ground by the break.
Submissions for Decision:
Using available race films, Chief Stipendiary Steward Nigel McIntyre identified ROCK LOBSTER, driven by John Dunn, in the trail of the leader ROYAL ROCK, driven by John Morrison as the field turned for home.
After turning for home and approaching the passing lane, Mr McIntyre demonstrated on the replay that ROCK LOBSTER, being in the trail of the lead horse took advantage of the passing lane and when doing so, broke for 3 to 4 strides before regaining its gait. The back straight films, he said, showed that ROCK LOBSTER did not appear to lose ground, which was of concern and the reason for the protest. Mr McIntyre added that the film angles were not the best, due to the angle from the back straight, which showed the angles increasing as the field proceeded up the straight.
Mr Dunn stated that when ROCK LOBSTER broke, he immediately took a hold of the horse and although it appears on the replays that ROCK LOBSTER may not have lost ground, he submitted that the horse had lost ground.
Reasons for Decision:
After hearing submissions and reviewing the race films, it was clearly evident to the Adjudicative Committee that ROCK LOBSTER broke free of interference, for 3 to 4 strides before regaining its correct gait, shortly after entering the home straight. The Adjudicative Committee was further satisfied, that Mr Dunn took hold of ROCK LOBSTER when the horse broke and although difficult to ascertain due to the replay angles available, did lose ground as required by the Rule. ROCK LOBSTER eventually finished up in second place, 3/4 of a length ahead of the 3rd placed horse. The Adjudicative Committee therefore determined that the protest be dismissed.
Decision:
The protest was dismissed, with Judge’s placings standing as above.
Decision Date: 29/12/2025
Publish Date: 31/12/2025