NZ Metro TC 5 August 2022 – R6 – FIGHTING FIRE

ID: RIB10366

Respondent(s):
John Dunn - Trainer

Applicant:
Shane Renault - Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Stewart Ching

Persons Present:
Carter Dalgety - Dunn Stable Representative

Information Number:
A15974

Decision Type:
Protest

Rule(s):
870(5) - Riding/driving infringement - Lapped on Rule

Plea:
Not Contested

Protest:
870(5)

Animal Name:
FIGHTING FIRE

Code:
Harness

Race Date:
05/08/2022

Race Club:
NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc

Race Location:
Addington Raceway - 75 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington, Christchurch, 8024

Race Number:
R6

Hearing Date:
05/08/2022

Hearing Location:
Addington

Outcome: Protest Upheld

Penalty: FIGHTING FIRE relegated from 3rd to 4th place

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 6,  Stipendiary Steward Shane Renault, instigated a protest into the 3rd placed runner FIGHTING FIRE alleging a breach of Rule 870(5), namely that FIGHTING FIRE galloped across the finish line in 3rd place and was lapped on by the 4th placed horse MY MOMENT’S NOW.”

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 ‘s stable representative, Mr Dalgety, was present at the hearing and indicated the protest was not contested.

The provisional placings are:

1st   No 2   PARIS PRINCE

2nd  No 1   RESOLVE

3rd   No 5   FIGHTING FIRE

4th   No 7   MY MOMENT’S NOW

The official margins between 3rd and 4th were 1/2 a length.

Submissions For Decision:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Renault, stated that inside the 50 metres, FIGHTING FIRE began to trot roughly before breaking from it’s correct gait, prior to and crossing the finish line, when free of interference. Mr Renault stated that the 4th placed horse, MY MOMENT’S NOW, finished 1/2  a length behind 3rd placed FIGHTING FIRE and had clearly lapped on the galloping FIGHTING FIRE. Mr Renault stated that Stewards were seeking the relegation of FIGHTING FIRE from 3rd to 4th placing.

Reasons For Decision:

On reviewing the race films of the concluding stages of the race, it is apparent that FIGHTING FIRE broke and galloped free of interference and was lapped on by MY MOMENT’S NOW at the finish line.

Decision:

The protest is upheld and FIGHTING FIRE is relegated from 3rd to 4th placing.

The amended placings are:

1st   No 2   PARIS PRINCE

2nd  No 1   RESOLVE

3rd   No 7   MY MOMENT’S NOW

4th   No 5   FIGHTING FIRE

In accordance with this decision, the payment of dividends is authorised.

Decision Date: 05/08/2022

Publish Date: 08/08/2022