Kurow JC 30 December 2024 – R7 – CINNAMON GIRL

ID: RIB50233

Respondent(s):
Andrew James Carston - Trainer

Applicant:
Andrew Carston - Class A Trainer

Adjudicators:
Matt Conway

Persons Present:
Mr Carston, Yogesh Atchamah - Apprentice Jockey, Rebecca Haley - Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson - Stipendiary Steward, Bruce Smaill - Starter

Information Number:
A20543

Decision Type:
Request for Ruling

Rule(s):
632(1) - Other - Denied fair start

Request for Ruling:
Whether CINNAMON GIRL was denied a fair start

Animal Name:
CINNAMON GIRL

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
30/12/2024

Race Club:
Kurow Jockey Club

Race Location:
Kurow Racecourse - Omarama-Oamaru Road, Kurow,

Race Number:
R7

Hearing Date:
30/12/2024

Hearing Location:
Kurow Racecourse

Outcome: Determination

Penalty: N/A

Background:

Following the running of Race 7, Class A Trainer Andrew Carston filed an Information requesting a ruling in relation to Rule 632(1) to establish whether his stable runner, CINNAMON GIRL, was denied a fair start.

Stipendiary Steward Rebecca Haley read Rule 632(1), which states:

If, in the opinion of the Adjudicative Committee, a horse which does not finish in the first four placings was prevented from taking an effective part in a Race owing to the mechanical failure of starting stalls or is denied a fair start and such occurrence materially prejudiced the chances of that horse (but not where the horse is slow away by its own accord), the Adjudicative Committee may declare such horse to be a non-starter.

CINNAMON GIRL did not finish in the first four placings.

Submissions for Decision:

The available race videos were played by the Stewards with specific reference to CINNAMON GIRL (Y Atchamah) standing in her gate and the start she made from barrier 8.

As evidenced by the videos, the horse was fractious just before the gates opened, and a Starter’s Assistant could be seen holding on to CINNAMON GIRL. A close-up view of the head-on video showed CINNAMON GIRL still being held by the Starter’s Assistant for a brief time after her gate opened.

CINNAMON GIRL was slow to jump, settling some four to five lengths behind the second-last horse.

Mr Carston submitted that, in the circumstances shown on the race videos, CINNAMON GIRL was denied a fair start.

“Horses can’t jump out of anywhere if you’ve got hold of their heads,” Mr Carston said. “No doubt she was fractious, you can see that, but she’s still been denied a fair start in my opinion.”

Mr Carston also pointed out that CINNAMON GIRL was well-supported in the betting market.

Mr Atchamah said CINNAMON GIRL was “playing up” just before the start. He said he called out “let me go” to the Starter’s Assistant.

Starter Mr Smaill asked to see the video played at full speed. He said CINNAMON GIRL had been “going off a bit” after being loaded into her gate but “really went off when I pushed the button.” He agreed the horse was being held by his Assistant, but said that the horse’s behaviour had contributed to its poor start.

Reasons for Decision:

The Adjudicative Committee studied at length the videos showing the pre-start and start of the race, and carefully considered the submissions. CINNAMON GIRL is clearly fractious in her gate, prompting a Starter’s Assistant to take hold of her before the start. A close-up view of the head-on video shows CINNAMON GIRL still being held by the Starter’s Assistant for a brief time after her gate opened. The Starter’s Assistant was attempting to do his best for the horse and Rider.

It is possible for a fractious horse to catch the start favourably, or at least get away on terms with its rivals. A fractious horse held by a Starter’s Assistant for a brief time after the gates open, is disadvantaged. In this case, CINNAMON GIRL’S chances were materially prejudiced.

Decision:

Under the provisions of the Rule, the Adjudicative Committee is of the opinion that CINNAMON GIRL was denied a fair start, and that this occurrence materially prejudiced the chances of the horse. The Adjudicative Committee therefore declared CINNAMON GIRL to be a non-starter.

Decision Date: 30/12/2024

Publish Date: 06/01/2025