Auckland TC 25 October 2024 – R7 – IRON LOVE

EVIDENCE

This is a contested protest arising from the running of Race 7, the Jay Abernethy Mobile Trot 1609m.  Pursuant to Rule 870(3), Stipendiary Steward Mr Munro lodged an Information instigating a protest alleging that IRON LOVE (placed 4th) switched to a pace in excess of 50 metres in the final 200 metres.

Trainer of IRON LOVE, Ms Wallis, contested the protest on the basis that although her horse changed gait over the concluding stages, she believed it did so marginally inside the final 50 metres.    Accordingly, Ms Wallis endorsed the Information “I do not admit the breach of the rule.”

The Judge’s provisional placings were:

1st  – No 9  SHEZ BELLA

2nd – No 1  HALBERG

3rd – No 7   MATTY A

4th – No 6   IRON LOVE

5th – No 8   DREAM OF YOU

Rule 870(3) provides that ‘Any horse which breaks from its gait shall promptly regain its proper gait’.

The Breaking Horses Regulations (b) provide that:

‘Any horse which breaks from its gait within the final 200 metres of any race and continues on in the break for a distance of 50 metres or greater shall be deemed to be in breach of Rule 870(3) in that it has failed to promptly regain its proper gait.’

Submissions for Decision:

Using available race films, Mr Munro identified IRON LOVE as the field approached the 50 metre marker. He said that prior to the 50 metre mark, IRON LOVE, who was racing in 4th place, changed gait from a trot to a pace and continued in a pace for the remainder of the race, crossing the finish line in 4th place.  Mr Munro used head and side on films.  He submitted that the horse was therefore in breach of Rule 870(3) and Breaking Horse Regulations and should be disqualified from the race.

In response, Ms Wallis accepted that IRON LOVE paced over the concluding stages and paced over the finish line, but she contended that the gait change was “very marginally close” to the 50 metre marker.

Reasons for Decision:

After hearing submissions and reviewing the race films, it was clearly evident to the Adjudicative Committee that IRON LOVE did change gait at least a metre or two (51 to 52 metres) outside the 50 metre mark and continued in its incorrect gait from that point to the finish. Accordingly, IRON LOVE is in breach of r 870(3) and the relevant Breaking Horse Regulations.

Decision:

IRON LOVE was disqualified, and No 8 DREAMS OF YOU, was promoted to fourth place.

Authority was given for stake money and dividends to be paid in accordance with the amended placings.