Geraldine TC 9 December 2023 – R2 – FLYING FOR ME

EVIDENCE:

Following the running of Race 2, an Information by way of a Protest was instigated by Junior Driver Mr Wilson House, alleging interference at the 200m.

The Judge’s placings were.

1st    9   STRIKE ME HANDSOME

2nd   4   THE MANDALORIAN

3rd    5   FLYING FOR ME

4th    6   ELEPHANTINTHEROOM

5th    2   MORERE

The Official margin was 2½ lengths, ¾ length, ¾ length, 2 ½ lengths.

Rule 869A(2) provides:

(2) When a placed horse or its driver causes interference to another placed horse and the Adjudicative Committee is satisfied that the horse interfered with would have finished ahead of the horse that, or whose driver, caused the interference the Adjudicative Committee must, in addition to any other penalty that may be imposed, place the horse that, or whose driver, caused the interference immediately after the horse interfered with.

All parties confirmed they understood the Protest Rule.

Mr Renault played all available videos to show at approximately 200m, FLYING FOR ME (L O’Reilly) break from its gait and run in, badly checking MORERE (W House) and LEWEY MAGUIRE (T Williams).

Mr O’Reilly spoke first and said it is obvious what has happened, and he did not contest the protest.

Mr House was not required to give any evidence.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The video evidence is clear, which confirms the alleged interference.

The Adjudicative Committee’s opinion was at the point of the interference, MORERE was improving strongly to the inside of FLYING FOR ME, and certainly would have beaten FLYING FOR ME to the finishing post, had it not been for the interference.

CONCLUSION:

The Protest was upheld, and accordingly, FLYING FOR ME is relegated from third placing to fifth placing.

The amended result is:

1st    9   STRIKE ME HANDSOME

2nd   4   THE MANDALORIAN

3rd    6   ELEPHANTINTHEROOM

4th    2   MORERE

5th    5   FLYING FOR ME

Stakes and dividends were ordered to be paid in accordance with the amended placings.