Methven TC 29 January 2023 – R1 – MIGHTY LOGAN

ID: RIB15025

Respondent(s):
John Morrison - Driver

Applicant:
RIB Steward - Mr Paul Williams

Adjudicators:
Dave Anderson

Persons Present:
RIB Steward - Mr Paul Williams, Chief Steward - Mr Steven Mulcay, Mr Morrison, Mr Barry Clark - Owner of MIGHTY LOGAN and Mr Close

Information Number:
A21123

Decision Type:
Protest

Rule(s):
869A(2) - Riding/driving infringement - Protest Rule

Plea:
Not Contested

Protest:
MIGHTY LOGAN shifted outwards over the final stages causing interference to VIRGINIA CLOWERS

Animal Name:
MIGHTY LOGAN

Code:
Harness

Race Date:
29/01/2023

Race Club:
Methven Trotting Club

Race Location:
Methven Racecourse - 47 Mount Hutt Station Road, Methven, 7782

Race Number:
R1

Hearing Date:
29/01/2023

Hearing Location:
Mt Harding Racecourse, Methven.

Outcome: Protest Upheld

Penalty: MIGHTY LOGAN is relegated to 3rd place and VIRGINIA CLOWERS promoted to 2nd place

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 1, an Information by way of a Protest, was presented by RIB Steward Mr Paul Williams alleging a breach of Rule 869A(2) by No. 6 MIGHTY LOGAN who shifted outwards over the final stages causing interference to No. 7 VIRGINIA CLOWERS.

Rule 869A (2) provides:

“When a placed horse or its driver causes interference to another placed horse or its driver 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.”

The provisional placings for the race were:

1st   5   PREMIUM PLAYER

2nd  6   MIGHTY LOGAN

3rd   7   VIRGINIA CLOWERS

4th   4   HOLLY HIGHLANDER

The margins were: 3/4 of a length, a nose, 1 ½ lengths.

Mr Williams, who was the Informant, showed the head-on replay of the final straight and identified the two runners concerned. He pointed to MIGHTY LOGAN (Mr Morrison) drifting into the line of VIRGINIA CLOWERS (Mr Close) on two occasions, the second of which caused Mr Close to check VIRGINIA CLOWERS to a significant degree.

The Adjudicative Committee asked Mr Morrison, after viewing the replay, if he was contesting the protest. He said he wasn’t contesting and said he had nothing to add as did Mr Close.

Decision:

The decision for the Adjudicative Committee was an easy one. It was very obvious, given the nose margin, VIRGINIA CLOWERS would have finished second had it not been for the interference she received from MIGHTY LOGAN.

The Protest is upheld and the second and third placings are reversed.

The amended result is:

1st   5   PREMIUM PLAYER

2nd  7   VIRGINIA CLOWERS

3rd   6   MIGHTY LOGAN

4th   4   HOLLY HIGHLANDER

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

Decision Date: 29/01/2023

Publish Date: 30/01/2023