Auckland TC 16 July 2021 – R1 – Steven Reid

Evidence:

Following the running of race 1 the Good Luck Sam Nov Trot 2200m, Mr Dooley instigated a protest into the third placed runner DRUM N BASS alleging a breach of Rule 870(5) in that “DRUM N BASS broke near the 40 metres and continued in a gallop until the finish line and was lapped on by MINNIE BOW TIQUE.”
Rule 870 (5) reads:
Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-rule (4) hereof any horse which is not in the correct gait when its nose reaches the finish line and which is lapped on by any other horse or horses in the correct gait shall be placed by the Judicial Committee behind such horse or horses provided that where such mentioned horse is not in its correct gait as a result of interference to such horse or its horseman, then (subject to Rule 869A) such relegation of the horse shall be at the discretion of the Judicial Committee.
Mr Reid indicated on the Information he did not contest the protest. He was present at the hearing.
The provisional placings are:
1st – No 11 LEXI T
2nd – No 7 I GOT MUSIC
3rd – No 8 DRUM N BASS
4th – No 1 MINNIE BOW TIE
The official margins were: ¾ L, neck, neck.

Submissions For Decision:
Mr Dooley stated that near the 40 metres in the home straight DRUM N BASS was running on strongly in third place. At this point DRUM N BASS broke free of interference and galloped across the finish line in third place. MINNIE BOWE TIQUE which finished in fourth place was a neck behind at the line and was lapped on.
Mr Dooley said Stewards were seeking the relegation of DRUM N BASS from third place to fourth place due to it having broken from its gait inside the final 50 metres.
Mr Reid said that he agreed with the Stewards interpretation and did not contest the protest or the relegation.

Reasons For Decision:
On reviewing the race films of the concluding stages, it is apparent that DRUM N BASS broke and galloped free of interference near the 40 metres and MINNIE BOW TIE was lapped on at the winning post.

Conclusion:
The protest is upheld and DRUM N BASS is relegated from third to fourth placing.
The amended placings are:
1st – No 11 LEXI T
2nd – No 7 I GOT MUSIC
3rd – No 1 MINNIE BOW TIE
4th – No 8 DRUM N BASS
In accordance with the amended placings, payment of dividends is authorised.