NZ Metro TC 15 October 2021 – R8 – SOUTH COAST ARDEN

EVIDENCE:

Following the running of Race 8, Stipendiary Steward Mr S Renault presented an Information Instigating a Protest. The Informant Mr Mark Purdon (SELF ASSURED) was alleging interference by SOUTH COAST ARDEN in the home straight. The Judge’s official margin was a nose.

Mr Renault played the home straight videos of the incident and identified both horses. The video showed at the top of the straight SOUTH COAST ARDEN leading the race and, as Ms Rasmussen activated gear, run up the track which allegedly interfered with SELF ASSURED.

SUBMISSIONS:

Mr Purdon said he felt when he had asked his horse to run and if he was able to run in a straight line, he would have won the race. He said because he had to check his horse at least twice to clear Ms Rasmussen’s wheel it stopped his momentum.

Ms Rasmussen said if her horse had run straight she would have won this race easily. Ms Rasmussen admitted her horse had drifted up the track but alluded to her horse being awkward and that SELF ASSURED wears a blind on its near side. This she said would have restricted its vision and made it more difficult for Mr Purdon and made the incident look a lot worse.

Mr Renault submitted the Stewards’ assessment was the shift by SOUTH COAST ARDEN has forced Mr Purdon to check at least two times. He said together with the small margin at the finish the Protest had strong merit.

REASON FOR DECISION:

The Adjudicator in assessing a Protest must be satisfied two criteria have been met.

The first, was there interference? All parties agree there was.

The second, did the interference have a bearing on the finishing order of the race?

This Adjudicator asked Respondent Ms Rasmussen, with the advantage of viewing the films from all angles and speeds, if she had been driving SELF ASSURED, would the interference had been enough to warrant a change of placings. After a slight pause, she said it would.

This honest and professional assessment by Ms Rasmussen endorsed the opinion of the incident by the Stewards, Mr Purdon and Adjudicator. Accordingly, the first two placings were reversed.

CONCLUSIONS:

The amended result of Race 8 is:

1st – 6 –  SELF ASSURED

2nd – 3 – SOUTH COAST ARDEN

3rd – 5 – CLASSIE BRIGADE

4th – 4 – HENRY HUBERT

5th – 2 – U MAY COLLECT.

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