NZ Metro TC 16 September 2022 – R9 – STAR CASINO
ID: RIB11113
Animal Name:
STAR CASINO
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
16/09/2022
Race Club:
NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc
Race Location:
Addington Raceway - 75 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington, Christchurch, 8024
Race Number:
R9
Hearing Date:
16/09/2022
Hearing Location:
Addington Raceway - 75 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington, Christchurch, 8024
Outcome: Protest Dismissed
Penalty: N/A
Summary of Facts:
Following the running of Race 9, the Applicant Stipendiary Steward Mr Renault filed an Information pursuant to Rule 870(3) instigating a protest alleging that STAR CASINO broke at the start and galloped in excess of 150 metres.
The Respondent Mr Jim Curtin was present at the hearing and indicated the protest was contested.
Rule 870(3) provides that ‘Any horse which breaks from its gait shall promptly regain its proper gait’.
The Horse Breaking Regulations provide that:
(a) Any horse which breaks from its gait either at the start or during the running of any race and continues on in the break for a distance of 150 metres or greater, shall be deemed to be in breach of Rule 870(3) in that it has failed to promptly regain its proper gait.
Submissions for Decision:
Using available race films Stipendiary Steward Mr Renault identified STAR CASINO as the field was released from the start. Using the marker pegs as a guide he pointed out that STAR CASINO, after pacing away, went off stride free of interference and galloped for approximately 150 metres before regaining its gait and finishing in 4th place.
Mr Renault used the pylons to calculate the metres which STAR CASINO had galloped and informed the Adjudicative Committee that in this case, it is a very close call. Mr Renault said the side on camera angle is taken from well up the straight which makes it difficult to correspond a horse’s position with the track pylons. He replayed the coverage close to the winning post and said the shadow STAR CASINO cast down across the track is of some help.
Mr Curtin said he found it difficult to align the horse to the pylons and agreed it was a close call.
Reasons For Decision:
After hearing submissions and reviewing the race films, it was clearly evident to the Adjudicative Committee that STAR CASINO broke free of interference and galloped for approximately 150 metres over the early stages of the race. The camera angle has made it difficult to precisely measure the distance STAR CASINO has galloped and to rely on the shadows of the horse would not be a prudent exercise. The Adjudicative Committee considers STAR CASINO may have galloped for 149m or 150m but cannot be satisfied that either would be a correct assessment. In this case, common sense is to give the benefit of the doubt to STAR CASINO.
Accordingly, STAR CASINO is found not in breach of Rule 870(3) and the relevant Breaking Horse Regulations.
Decision:
The protest is dismissed.
Authority was given for stake money and dividends to be paid in accordance with the Judge’s placings.
Decision Date: 16/09/2022
Publish Date: 19/09/2022