Auckland TC 29 May 2026 – R5 – ALDEBARAN REDWOOD

Summary:

Following the running of Race 5, The Lone Star Alexandra Park Handicap Trot, Stipendiary Steward, Scott Wallis, filed an Information instigating a protest against Driver, Sheryl Wigg (ALDEBARAN REDWOOD). It was alleged Ms Wigg breached Rule 869(7A)(b).

The provisional placings were:

1st –  No 2   ALDEBARAN REDWOOD

2nd – No 4   VISCOUNT MACKENDON

3rd –  No 3   PATRICK MAHOMES

4th –  No 5   SANS AU REVOIR

5th –  No 6   HILL BILLIE BUNDY

It was stated on the Information that Ms Wigg gained an advantage by “going inside the track markers going up the passing lane”.

Rule 869(7A)(b) provides:

(7A) Every driver who moves inwards shall ensure: (a) that contact is not made with any track marker (b) that any part of the sulky does not protrude inside the marker line (c) that the movement does not cause any other driver, horse or sulky to contact any track marker or protrude inside the marker line.

It shall be a defence to a breach of this sub-rule if the driver establishes that the breach was attributable to the behaviour of his own horse or any other horse or driver in the race.

Evidence:

Mr Wallis showed video of side and head on views demonstrating Ms Wigg driving up the passing lane, clearly moving across the marker line on a number of occasions, as she came up alongside PATRICK MAHOMES, driven by Mr S Abernethy.  He submitted Ms Wigg had no clear run to the line, which was why she drove inside the marker line.  He stated that she had no room to advance forward. In doing so, Ms Wigg gained an advantage in that she won the race.

Ms Wigg gave evidence to the effect that she did have a clear run to the line and it was Mr Abernethy moving in towards her, that pressured her to move inside the markers on each occasion.

Reasons for Decision:

The Adjudicative Committee took some time to examine the video, especially the head on view.  Additionally, it noted the relevant portion of the Passing Lane Regulations, namely the following provision:

Passing Lane Regulation 3

Except after entering the home straight for the last time in any race, no horse may use the expanded inside lane in an attempt to pass any other horse or horses or improve its position. Any horse which does so may be disqualified, or relegated under Rule 869A and the driver shall be in breach of Rule 869(3)(f).

Both PATRICK MAHOMES and ALDEBARAN REDWOOD were in the home straight for the last time, therefore Ms Wigg was entitled to use the passing lane.  The race film clearly shows Ms Wigg moving over the marker line on at least 3 occasions, thereby breaching Rule 869(7A)(b). The Adjudicative Committee was of the view that at the commencement of her run home, Ms Wigg did have room to advance forward. Being cognisant of the defence that may be available to Ms Wigg by virtue of the proviso to Rule 869(7A)(b), the Adjudicative Committee observed PATRICK MAHOMES moving in towards Ms Wigg’s horse as she was advancing forward and was satisfied that the pressure on Ms Wigg was sufficient to cause her to move over the marker line on each occasion.

This Adjudicative Committee finds that Ms Wigg’s breach of Rule 869(7A)(b) was “attributable to the behaviour of ………[another] horse or driver in the race.”  Thus, Ms Wigg has established a defence to the breach as provided in the Rules.

Decision:

For these reasons, the protest was dismissed.