Ashburton TC 10 May 2026 – R1 – KOTARE RIMU

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 1, the Red Park Farms Mobile Pace, an Information instigating a protest was filed by Chief Stipendiary Steward, Nigel McIntyre, alleging that “KOTARE RIMU (Seth Hill), placed 1st by the Judge, raced inside the final track marker prior to the passing lane and gained an advantage”.

The Judge’s placings were as follows:

1st    3 Kotare Rimu

2nd   8 Flying Ace

3rd    1 Giorgio Denario

4th    7 Mamas Crunch

The winning margin was a neck.

Rule 869 provides as follows:

(7B) Where any horse or its sulky wheel moves inside the track marker line and gains an advantage the horse shall be disqualified from that race or relegated to behind any horse in respect of which an advantage may have been gained except where it is established that the breach was caused by interference by another horse or driver.

EVIDENCE:

Chief Stipendiary Steward, Nigel McIntyre showed the available video replays of the final 300 metres of the race and had Mr Renault identify KOTARE RIMU in the trail position, approaching the final straight. Mr McIntyre said Mr Hill has shifted his horse inwards before the last pylon prior to the passing lane pole, gaining momentum and an advantage. Mr McIntyre showed the head on film to show there wasn’t a gap for KOTARE RIMU to take prior to the passing lane.

Mr Houghton used the video to point to the leader MAMAS CRUNCH (T Williams) shift out slightly, as the field approached the passing lane. He said MAMAS CRUNCH has then moved in as it came to the passing lane, which contributed to KOTARE RIMU racing over the final pylon.

Mr Hill agreed he angled his horse inwards too soon, but used the video of the finish to say his horse had picked up the bit when FLYING ACE came at them and was never going to beat him.

Mr McIntyre said Stewards believe KOTARE RIMU has gained an advantage and therefore breached the Rule to the required standard.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

In terms of Protest Rule 869(7B), the first task for the Adjudicative Committee is to determine whether KOTARE RIMU has moved inside the marker line, before the passing lane. It has undoubtably so.

Secondly, has KOTARE RIMU gained an advantage. The side on video clearly showed KOTARE RIMU’S nose adjacent to the leading Driver’s head at the juncture of the passing lane pylon, with momentum.

Mr Hill’s submission his horse had FLYING ACE covered at the line may be correct, however, it is not a requirement of the Adjudicative Committee to determine the possible outcome of the race, had KOTARE RIMU stayed in the confines of the track.

Summarily, Mr Hill and KOTARE RIMU took a shortcut, which is not permitted.

The Adjudicative Committee is satisfied that the action of KOTARE RIMU shifting in before the passing lane, at least 6 strides before it was entitled to, has received an advantage over FLYING ACE, convincing the Adjudicative Committee to uphold the protest.

CONCLUSION:

The protest was upheld and KOTARE RIMU is relegated to 2nd placing. Consequent upon the relegation, the amended result for the race is as follows:

1st    8 FLYING ACE

2nd   3 KOTARE RIMU

3rd    1 GIORGIO DENARIO

4th    7 MAMAS CRUNCH

It was ordered that dividends and stakes be paid in accordance with the above amended placings.