NZ Metro TC 5 August 2022 – R4 – IT’S SO EASY

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 4 , the Applicant, Stipendiary Steward, Shane Renault, filed an Information pursuant to Rule 870(3) instigating a protest alleging that IT’S SO EASY  paced before breaking in excess of 150m in the early stages of the race.

The Respondent, Peter Davis, was present at the hearing and indicated the protest was contested.

The Judge’s provisional placings were:

1st  – No 3    MADELINE STOWE

2nd – No 2    MURANO

3rd  – No 10  IT’S SO EASY

4th –   No 7    TAKE AFTER ME

5th –   No 6    DELLARIO

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.

Using available race films, Stipendiary Steward Mr Renault identified IT’S SO EASY as the field passed the  winning post on the first occasion. Using the marker pegs as a guide, he pointed out that IT’S SO EASY went off stride free of interference, with approximately 2400m to run and paced for a period before breaking and galloping, for approximately 160 metres.

Mr Renault submitted that IT’S SO EASY was therefore in breach of the Rule 870(3) and Breaking Horse Regulations, and that the horse should be disqualified from the race.

In response the Respondent, Mr Davis, stated that it was right on the 150 metres when IT’S SO EASY, regained it’s correct gait. He contended that the horse was half trotting at the 150m and submitted that it was so close, and that the protest should be dismissed.

Reasons For Decision:

After hearing submissions and reviewing the race films it was clearly evident to the Adjudicative Committee, that IT’S SO EASY broke free of interference, by firstly changing gait to a pace and then breaking for more than 150 metres from near the 2400m. The Adjudicative Committee determined that IT’S SO EASY broke for at least 155 metres.

Accordingly, IT’S SO EASY is in breach of r 870(3) and the relevant Breaking Horse Regulations.

Decision:

IT’S SO EASY was disqualified.

The amended final placings are:

1st –   No 3   MADELINE STOWE

2nd –  No 2   MURANO

3rd –   No 7   TAKE AFTER ME

4th –    No 6   DELLARIO

5th –    No 11  MISS YOU

Authority was given for stake money and dividends to be paid in accordance with the amended placings.