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Otago RC 7 November 2023 – R1 (Request for a Ruling) – DANZA

ID: RIB29504

Respondent(s):
Sophie Price - Trainer

Applicant:
Mr Mark Davidson, Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Geoff Hall

Information Number:
A11835

Decision Type:
Request for Ruling

Rule(s):
632(1) - Other - denied a fair start

Request for Ruling:
Request for ruling as to whether DANZA had been denied a fair start

Stewards Report

Results

Animal Name:
Danza

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
07/11/2023

Race Club:
Otago Racing Club

Race Location:
Wingatui Racecourse - 285 Gladstone Road North, Mosgiel, Dunedin,

Race Number:
R1

Hearing Date:
07/11/2023

Hearing Location:
Dunedin

Outcome: Determination

Penalty: Danza denied a fair start

Mr Davidson sought a Ruling as to whether DANZA had been denied a fair start in Race 1. He demonstrated on the videos that as the gates opened, gate 15, in which DANZA was standing, was very slow to open.

Ruling

It is very clear on the videos that gate 15 has been very slow to open. DANZA was in that gate and was not able to jump until some time after the rest of the field had got away. This was not of the horse’s doing.

In these circumstances, the Stewards were advised that in the opinion of the Adjudicative Committee, DANZA had been denied a fair start owing to the mechanical failure of the starting stalls and that this had materially prejudiced the chances of the horse.

Decision Date: 07/11/2023

Publish Date: 08/11/2023