Methven TC 28 October 2022 – R1 – ALFORBET
ID: RIB11923
Animal Name:
ALFORBET
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
28/10/2022
Race Club:
Methven Trotting Club
Race Location:
Methven Racecourse - 47 Mount Hutt Station Road, Methven, 7782
Race Number:
R1
Hearing Date:
28/10/2022
Hearing Location:
Methven
Outcome: Protest Upheld
Penalty: ALFORBET relegated to 4th place
Summary of Facts:
Following the running of Race 1 Stipendiary Steward Paul Williams instigated a protest into the 2nd placed runner ALFORBET alleging a breach of Rule 870(5), namely that ALFORBET galloped across the finish line in 2nd place and was lapped on by the 3rd placed horse A LATE LATE PRESSY and the 4th placed horse HELLOVEAMOMENT”
Rule 870 (5) provides:
Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-rule (4) hereof any horse which is not in the correct gait when its nose reaches the finish line and which is lapped on by any other horse or horses in the correct gait shall be placed by the Adjudicative Committee behind such horse or horses provided that where such mentioned horse is not in its correct gait as a result of interference to such horse or its driver, then (subject to Rule 869A) such relegation of the horse shall be at the discretion of the Adjudicative Committee.
The Respondent, Driver Sheree Tomlinson, was present at the hearing and indicated the protest was not contested.
The provisional placings are:
1st No 7 – STARLIGHT GAZER
2nd No 13 – ALFORBET
3rd No 1 – A LATE LATE PRESSY
4th No 2 – HELLOVEAMOMENT
5th No 3 – TRUE CONFESSIONS
The official margins were 1/2 length, between 2nd and 3rd, with a head between 3rd and 4th placing.
Submissions For Decision:
Stipendiary Steward Mr Williams stated that near the 10 metres, ALFORBET broke from its gait when free of interference and was in a gallop when crossing the line. ALFORBET was consequently lapped on by the 3rd placed horse, A LATE LATE PRESSY, a margin of 1/2 length, and the 4th placed horse, HELLOVEAMOMENT, a margin of a head.
Mr Williams said Stewards were seeking the relegation of ALFORBET from 2nd to 4th placing.
Reasons For Decision:
On reviewing the race films of the concluding stages of the race, it is apparent that ALFORBET broke and galloped free of interference close to the line and was lapped on by A LATE LATE PRESSY and HELLOVEAMOMENT at the finish line.
Decision:
The protest is upheld and ALFORBET is relegated from 2nd to 4th placing.
The amended placings are:
1st No 7 – STARLIGHT GAZER
2nd No 1 – A LATE LATE PRESSY
3rd No 2 – HELLOVEAMOMENT
4th No 13 – ALFORBET
5th No 3 – TRUE CONFESSIONS
In accordance with this decision, the payment of dividends is authorised.
Decision Date: 28/10/2022
Publish Date: 02/11/2022