Ashburton RC 15 December 2022 – R2 – MISS PEARL
ID: RIB14486
Animal Name:
MISS PEARL
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
15/12/2022
Race Club:
Ashburton Racing Club
Race Location:
Ashburton Racecourse - Racecourse Road, Ashburton, 7700
Race Number:
R2
Hearing Date:
15/12/2022
Hearing Location:
Ashburton
Outcome: Protest Upheld
Penalty: Placings reversed
Evidence:
Following the running of Race 2, an Information was filed instigating a Protest pursuant to Rule 642(1).
The Applicant, Mr Robinson, Trainer of ARCHERFIELD, alleged that the first placed horse MISS PEARL, interfered with his horse’s chances in the final straight. The interference was alleged to have occurred at the 350m.
The Judge’s provisional placings were:
1st – No 10 MISS PEARL
2nd – No 1 ARCHERFIELD
3rd – No 5 BRANCASTER BOMBER
4th – No 2 AUTHORITY
The official margin was a head.
Rule 642(1) provides:
“If a placed horse or its rider causes interference within the meaning of this rule 642 to another placed horse, and the Adjudicative Committee is of the opinion that the horse so interfered with would have finished ahead of the first mentioned horse had such interference not occurred, they may place the first mentioned horse immediately after the horse interfered with”
The participants advised the Adjudicative Committee that they were conversant with the requirements of the Protest Rule.
Mr Chowdhoory said MISS PEARL had taken his line and he was checked. He said he lost at least a length and because of that the horses to his outside inconvenienced him and had it not been for the interference he would have won the race.
Mr Robinson said MISS PEARL has taken his horses line, checking him and halting his momentum and given the margin at the line, cost him the win.
Mr Walsh said Mr Chowdhoory has steered his horse into the hind quarters of MISS PEARL, turning it outwards. He said Mr Chowdhoory at that point is behind MISS PEARL, trying to make a run that was not there and by doing so has caused the interference. Mr Walsh said ARCHERFIELD was beaten fair and square.
Mr Beckett said it was plain and simple, ARCHERFIELD has angled in and turned MISS PEARL out, unbalancing her resulting in the interference.
At this juncture Mr Oatham received a phone call informing him of the tragedy that had unfolded and the Adjudicative Committee postponed the hearing.
Reasons for Decision:
In accordance with the requirements of the Protest Rule the Adjudicative Committee must firstly establish that interference occurred, and secondly, if interference is established, the horse interfered with would have beaten the other runner, had such interference not occurred.
Because of the developments post-race, the hearing was not able to be reconvened. However, the Adjudicative Committee was able to obtain Mr Oatham’s assessment on the merits of the protest.
Mr Oatham stated although MISS PEARL may have been turned out slightly it has continued out checking ARCHERFIELD which has lost ground and momentum. He said the Applicant had a strong case.
The Adjudicative Committee was unable to have further access to the parties or films on this difficult day but a decision had to be made.
It was clear on the video shown at the hearing ARCHERFIELD has received a check from MISS PEARL losing a length. ARCHERFIELD once recovered has rebalanced and finish very strongly running MISS PEARL to a margin of a head.
The Adjudicative Committee find, had this check not occurred, ARCHERFIELD would have beaten MISS PEARL to the finishing post.
Decision:
The Protest is upheld and placings in Race 2 are reversed.
The amended result is:
1st – No 1 ARCHERFIELD
2nd – No 10 MISS PEARL
3rd – No 5 BRANCASTER BOMBER
4th – No 2 AUTHORITY
Stakes and Dividends were ordered to be paid in accordance with the amended result.
Decision Date: 15/12/2022
Publish Date: 17/01/2023