Invercargill HRC 18 June 2022 – R8 – GIFT CARD

ID: RIB9531

Respondent(s):
Craig Ferguson - Driver

Applicant:
Mr V Munro - Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Mr N Skelt

Persons Present:
Mr V Munro - Stipendiary Steward, Mr N McIntyre - Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr M Clement - CE RIB, Mr S Mulcay - Stipendiary Steward

Information Number:
A13859

Decision Type:
Protest

Rule(s):
870(3) - Riding/driving infringement - Breaking Horse Regs

Plea:
Not Contested

Protest:
Into the fourth placed horse by the Judge

Animal Name:
GIFT CARD

Code:
Harness

Race Date:
18/06/2022

Race Club:
Invercargill Harness Racing Club

Race Location:
Ascot Park Raceway - 29 Findlay Road, Ascot, Invercargill, 9810

Race Number:
R8

Hearing Date:
18/06/2022

Hearing Location:
Ascot Park Raceway, Invercargill

Outcome: Protest Upheld

Penalty: GIFT CARD disqualified from fourth placing

Background

Following the running of Race 8 the Verified Auto  NZ Gold Cup Chip Final Handicap, the Applicant Stipendiary Steward Mr Vinnie Munro, filed an Information A13859, Rule 870(3) alleging that GIFT CARD (C Ferguson) broke in excess of 150m during the race.

The Respondent Driver Craig Ferguson representing the connections of GIFT CARD, had signed the Information form indicating firstly that the protest was not contested and secondly he did not wish to be present at the hearing of the Information.

The Judge’s provisional placings were:

1st    3.  One More Moment (B Orange)

2nd   8.  Dwindle Star  (P Williamson)

3rd.  1.  Harleen Quinzel  (S O’ Reilly)

4th.  5.  Gift Card.  (C Ferguson)

Rule 870(3) provides: any horse which breaks from its gait shall promptly regain its proper gait.

The Breaking Horse Regulation provides:  (B ) Where a protest has been duly lodged against the placing of an offending horse the adjudicative committee shall either

(i) Relegate such horse under rule 870(4) behind any other horse in respect of which an advantage may have been gained or

(ii) Disqualify it from the race under rule 1003(2) .

Submissions for Decision

Using the available race video replays, Chief Stipendiary Steward Nigel McIntyre identified GIFT CARD shortly after the start of the race going off stride, free of interference, and galloped for approximately 153m before settling down into his gait. The horse eventually finishing in 4th placing.

Mr Munro submitted that the horse GIFT CARD was in breach of Rule 870(3) and the Breaking Horse Regulations and should be disqualified from the race.

Reasons for Decision

After hearing the submissions and viewing the video replays, it was very evident to the Adjudicative Committee that GIFT CARD had broken free of interference and galloped for more than 150m.

Accordingly, GIFT CARD was in breach of Rule 870(3), and the Breaking Horses Regulations.

Decision

The protest was upheld and GIFT CARD was disqualified from 4th placing.

The amended final placings are therefore:

1st 3.   One More Moment

2nd 8.  Dwindle Star

3rd 1.   Hareleen Quinzel

4th 9.   Our Pinocchio

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

Decision Date: 18/06/2022

Publish Date: 21/06/2022