NZ Metro TC 2 May 2025 – R7- MAVIS JONES

Summary of Facts: 

Following the running of Race 7, the Applicant Open Driver John Morrison filed an Information instigating a protest pursuant to Rule 869A(2) alleging “that MAVIS JONES (R May) has shifted in after the start and checked NELLIE DOYLE(J Morrison), which broke and lost considerable ground.”

The provisional placings  were:

1st   No 3   PAIGE

2nd  No 8   MUSCLE SASS

3rd   No 2   VERTIGO

4th   No 5    MAVIS JONES

5th   No 10  NELLIE DOYLE

The official margin between 4th and 5th was 3 lengths.

Rule 869A(2) reads:

(2) When a placed horse or its driver causes interference to another placed horse 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.

Submissions for Decision:

Stipendiary Steward Vinnie Munro showed the race films relating to the incident, which occurred over the early stages of the race. Mr Munro pointed out MAVIS JONES, driven by Mr May, racing on the outside of RATA, driven by Jonny Cox, who had NELLIE DOYLE, driven by John Morrison, to its inside. Mr Munro showed on the replays that shortly after the start, Mr May shifted in when not clear of RATA, who was forced inwards onto NELLIE DOYLE, who was placed in restricted room outside the wheel of MUSCLE SASS, driven by Kimberly Butt. As a result, both NELLIE DOYLE and RATA broke, losing considerable ground. MAVIS JONES finished up in 4th place, with NELLIE DOYLE finishing in 5th place, the official margin being 3 lengths.

Mr Morrison stated that NELLIE DOYLE was one of the favoured runners in the field and had gone away from her 20m handicap well. He said the interference suffered shortly after the start, caused the mare to break and lose considerable ground. Mr Morrison said he lost considerable ground due to the break and once gaining his correct gait again, caught the field up over a distance, eventually tagging on the the rear, before running on strongly over the concluding stage to finish in 5th placing, 3 lengths behind MAVIS JONES. He said it was clear that with a clear run, NELLIE DOYLE would have beaten MAVIS JONES home, with an interference free run.

Mr May stated he did not initially see NELLIE DOYLE racing on the inside of RATA when this incident occurred, but when he did notice the situation, relieved the pressure immediately, concurring it was too late to prevent the tightening. He added that he had to deal with I DREAM OF JEANNIE driven by Sam Thornley, who was crossing in front of him at the time he was looking to relieve the pressure, which did not help the situation.

Stipendiary Steward Mr Renault, as officiating Chairman of Stewards on the day, stated that there was no doubt interference occurred to NELLIE DOYLE by MAVIS JONES. He estimated that NELLIE DOYLE broke for approximately 125m and once regaining her gait, NELLIE DOYLE was at least 40m behind the bulk of the field. NELLIE DOYLE then caught the field over a distance, before running home strongly over the final stages, finishing in 5th place. Mr Renault stated the Stewards submitted that the protest had merit.

Reasons for Decision:

After reviewing the race films and evaluating the submissions from all parties, the Adjudicative Committee was satisfied that interference occurred to 5th placed NELLIE DOYLE, by 4th placed MAVIS JONES, shortly after the start. The Adjudicative Committee was also satisfied that NELLIE DOYLE broke for 125m and lost considerable ground in the process, before regaining her gait. NELLIE DOYLE, once back in her correct gait, was at least 40m behind the field and then made up ground during the running and finishing on strongly to finish 3 lengths behind MAVIS JONES in 5th place.

Taking all factors into consideration, including the interference suffered, distance that NELLIE DOYLE was in a break, the distance that NELLIE DOYLE was behind the bulk of the field when regaining her gait and the way the horse regained contact with the field and then finished on strongly over the final stages, as well as the official margin of 3 lengths, the Adjudicative Committee determined that, but for the interference to 5th placed NELLIE DOYLE by 4th placed MAVIS JONES, and on the balance of probabilities, NELLIE DOYLE would  have beaten MAVIS JONES into fourth place.  Therefore the protest is upheld.

Decision:

The protest is upheld and the placings now read.

1st  No 3    PAIGE

2nd No 8    MUSCLE SASS

3rd  No 2    VERTIGO

4th  No 10  NELLIE DOYLE

5th  No 5    MAVIS JONES

Stakes and dividends are ordered to be paid accordingly.