Otago RC 2 March 2024 – R2 – SALAAM NAMASTEY

Following the running of Race 2, Mr T Kennedy, the Trainer of PEEKAY, placed 3rd by the Judge, protested against the 2nd placed horse, SALAAM NAMASTEY, on the grounds of interference in the home straight.

Judge’s placings were:

1st   7 PATRAINE

2nd  6 SALAAM NAMASTEY

3rd   3 PEEKAY

4th   4 ALMANAC

The official margin between 2nd and 3rd was a head.

Evidence

Mr Moseley, the Rider of PEEKAY, spoke first and pointed out on the videos that on the home turn, SALAAM NAMASTEY had shifted out and come into contact with PEEKAY. He stated there had been 4 bumps and pointed these out on the video. Mr Kennedy agreed with Mr Moseley and said PEEKAY had been inconvenienced. He said PEEKAY was a green horse. It had been put under pressure and it had cost the horse ground.

Mr Laking, spoke on behalf of Mr R Muniandy, the Apprentice Rider of SALAAM NAMASTEY. He agreed there had been contact at the top of the straight. This was minor and Mr Moseley had been able to quickly balance the horse up. He said Mr Moseley had been riding PEEKAY out the whole length of the straight and PEEKAY  had got marginally in front before SALAAM NAMASTEY came back just before the line. He said Mr Moseley had not stopped riding and the mower marks on the track showed that Mr Moseley had also shifted in. Mr Moseley had had ample time to get past SALAAM NAMASTEY.

Mr Davidson stated that the principal point of contact was on the bend. He believed Mr Moseley had been unbalanced twice at that point. The contact was slight. In the straight, Mr Moseley had shifted back in and there was light contact 3 more times. The contact was very early and the manner in which the horses finished off the race had to be considered.

Decision

There is contact between SALAAM NAMASTEY and PEEKAY on some 4 occasions, with both horses jostling in the straight. The contact is light, and the point of note is on the bend when Mr Muniandy has shifted out and Mr Moseley has had to balance up his mount. Mr Moseley has shifted in in the straight and there has been further contact with Mr Muniandy again coming out. This is simply a brushing.

PEEKAY has suffered interference from SALAAM NAMASTEY. Having regard to the degree of interference which is not great, and the fact that PEEKAY has had the whole length of the straight to get past SALAAM NAMASTEY and may have briefly done so about 50 or so metres from the post before SALAAM NAMASTEY again gets in front of PEEKAY, with the margin at the finish being a head, the Adjudicative Committee is not of the opinion that had the interference not occurred, that PEEKAY would have finished in front of SALAAM NAMASTEY. In these circumstances, the protest is dismissed.

Placings and dividends are as called by the Judge.