Rangiora HRC 17 December 2023 – R5 (Request for a Ruling) – MAINBOCHER
ID: RIB30938
Animal Name:
Mainbocher
Code:
Harness
Race Date:
17/12/2023
Race Club:
Rangiora Harness Racing Club
Race Location:
Rangiora Racecourse - 312 Lehmans Road, Fernside, Rangiora, 7440
Race Number:
R5
Hearing Date:
17/12/2023
Hearing Location:
Rangiora Racecourse
Outcome: Determination
Penalty: MAINBOCHER not denied a fair start
BACKGROUND:
Following the running of Race 5, Jack Behrns Memorial Trot, an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 213(1)(j) by Open Driver, Robbie Close, Requesting a Ruling that his runner, MAINBOCHER, had been denied a fair start.
Rule 213 provides as follows:-
(1) A Stipendiary Steward at any time may scratch from a race or declare ineligible to start in a race until a specific condition is met any horse on all or any of the following grounds:-
(j) if a horse was denied a fair start and such occurrence materially prejudiced the chances of that horse.
EVIDENCE:
Stipendiary Steward, Paul Williams, showed a video replay of the start of the 1950 metres standing start race. He pointed out that MAINBOCHER, driven by the Respondent, drawn barrier position 4 on the front line, had walked up to the barrier strand which was touching the head of the horse.
Mr Williams showed that, when the barrier was released, MAINBOCHER veered out briefly but quickly settled into stride, before galloping some 50-60 metres after the start.
The Respondent said that, with the tape being on the head of the horse when it was released, the horse had thrown its head upwards and outwards and was “not a happy horse” thereafter, prior to breaking. The tape hitting the horse’s head had caused it to veer outwards and trot unevenly thereafter, he submitted. The horse is normally a safe beginner, the Respondent said.
REASONS FOR DECISION:
The Adjudicative Committee found that MAINBOCHER, whilst it may have been affected by the barrier strand touching its head, had made a safe beginning notwithstanding that. It did veer out slightly. That is not uncommon. Thereafter, it trotted safely for some distance before going off stride.
The Adjudicative Committee could not be satisfied that there was a nexus between the barrier strand touching the horse’s head upon release and the horse going off stride, after making a good beginning. In fact, it was one of the best to begin, and did not go off stride until some 50-60 metres later. In the absence of any such nexus, the Adjudicative Committee could not be satisfied that MAINBOCHER had been denied a fair start which materially affected its chances.
CONCLUSION:
The Adjudicative Committee ruled that MAINBOCHER had not been denied a fair start.
Decision Date: 17/12/2023
Publish Date: 19/12/2023