R Te Aroha 1 June 2026 – R3 (request for a ruling) – COUNTRYMAN

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 3, Deputy Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr B Jones filed an Information Requesting a Ruling that COUNTRYMAN (J Parker) be disqualified from the race after failing to take the correct course.

Rule 918(1) provides that a Stipendiary Steward may file an Information seeking a Ruling from an Adjudicator.

Rule 640(1)(a) and (2) provides that:

640(1) The following provisions apply to Hurdle Races and Steeplechase Races: 

(a) in every case where the course to be run is not wholly enclosed by rails or where part of the course is indicated by a special mark of any description, a Stipendiary Steward or official appointed by the Stipendiary Stewards for the purpose shall on the day of the Race explain, indicate or point out to all Riders the course and all flags, posts, drums and boundary marks being used.  Any subsequent removal or alteration of any flag, post, drum or boundary mark indicating the course and any new flag, post, drum or boundary mark shall not, unless explained, indicated or pointed out to all Riders by a Stipendiary Steward or other Official of the Race Meeting, have any effect for any purpose in connection with the course;

(2) In the event of a breach of any of the provisions of paragraphs (a), (b), (c)(i) and (c)(ii) of sub-Rule (1) of this Rule, in addition to any other penalty which may be imposed, the horse shall be disqualified for the Race.

Submissions for Decision:

Mr Jones submitted that this was an unusual situation. He said that ODYSSEUS fell during the running and continued riderless wide of the field. Approaching the jump near the 650-metre mark, ODYSSEUS shifted across the front of the leading runners. As a consequence, COUNTRYMAN, which was racing near the lead, was unable to jump the fence, was carried off the course, and was subsequently eased and pulled up by its Rider, taking no further part in the race.

Mr Jones submitted that the request for disqualification, rather than recording COUNTRYMAN as ‘did not finish’ (DNF) or ‘pulled up’ (PU), was required by Rule 640(1) and (2), as set out above. He noted, however, that no fault could be attributed to COUNTRYMAN or to its Rider, Mr Parker, in relation to the failure to negotiate the jump.

Mr Parker said that his mount had been travelling well until approaching the jump, when it was forced off course by the riderless ODYSSEUS. He said that he did his best to correct the horse, but had no option other than to continue off the course and pull up.

Reasons for Decision:

After considering the submissions, the Adjudicative Committee was satisfied that, approaching the jump, ODYSSEUS crossed the face of the field and dictated COUNTRYMAN off the course to the extent that it was unable to jump the fence and was run off.

Accordingly, COUNTRYMAN is disqualified as required by the Rule.

No fault is attributed to Mr Parker for the incident, and no order is made for the forfeiture of his riding fee.

Decision(s):

Accordingly, pursuant to Rules 918(1) and 640(2), the Adjudicative Committee determined that COUNTRYMAN be disqualified from the race.