Otaki-Maori RC 26 May 2022 – R3 – Request for Ruling – ROAD DIVA

SUMMARY OF FACTS

After the running of Race 3 at Otaki the siren sounded with the Stewards Requesting a Ruling whether or not ROAD DIVA received an unfair advantage when the barrier gates opened.

The provisional placings were

1st – Smart Attire

2nd – Road Diva

3rd – Nadeems Dream

4th – Lovettorleaveit

The film of the incident was shown with both Jockey, Mr Bau and Trainer, Mr Baker believing no unfair advantage was gained.

Starter, Mr G Phillips was called and after viewing the film believed the barrier opening of the gates one and two a fraction ahead of the other gates happened because of a malfunction. ROAD DIVA was positioned in gate one.

He reiterated the comments of both Jockey and Trainer that no unfair advantage had been obtained.

The film of the incident was shown a number of times and only after slowing the film down frame to frame could it be ascertained that gates one and two did open a fraction early.

Mr Oatham agreed that the stalls concerned did open a fraction early but was of the view that no advantage was gained.

REASON FOR DECISION

Only after slowing the film down could it be seen that gates one and two  opened a fraction early. The race was run over 2100 metres and all horses on leaving the stalls posItioned themselves accordingly.

The margins between 1st and 2nd was two and a quarter lengths with a head to third.

The horses in gates one and two did not contribute to the gates opening a fraction early it happened due to a malfunction.

CONCLUSION

After viewing the film of the start and hearing from all the parties it was the determined that no advantage to ROAD DIVA had been obtained by the gate opening early.

Placings as called provisionally were allowed to stand and dividends payed.