Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 12 April 2025 – R1 – NOIVERN

Evidence

Following the running of Race 1, an Information was filed Instigating a Protest pursuant to Rule 642(1). The Applicant, Trainer Michael Pitman, alleged that horse number 5 NOIVERN, placed 1st by the Judge, interfered with the chances of horse number 14 MYSTIC OCEAN, placed 2nd by the Judge.

The interference was alleged to have occurred in the final straight.

The Judge’s provisional placings were as follows:

1st   No. 5   NOIVERN

2nd  No.14  MYSTIC OCEAN

3rd   No. 2   MONTERO

4th   No.12   PORCIA CATONIS

The official margin between 1st and second was a nose.

Rule 642(1) provides:

“If a placed horse or its Rider causes interference within the meaning of this Rule 642 to another placed horse, and the Adjudicative Committee is of the opinion that the horse so interfered with would have finished ahead of the first mentioned horse had such interference not occurred, they may place the first mentioned horse immediately after the horse interfered with”.

Submissions for Decision

Prior to hearing submissions from the respective parties, the Adjudicative Committee requested that Stewards show all available race films of the alleged interference and identify the runners. The replays showed MYSTIC OCEAN looking to improve on the inside of NOIVERN and when partially through that gap, NOIVERN began to shift inwards, restricting the gap that MYSTIC OCEAN had attempted to take. MYSTIC OCEAN then checked and eased out of the gap and opted to then race to the outside of NOIVERN, eventually finishing in 2nd place, a nose margin behind the winner NOIVERN.

The Applicant, Trainer Michael Pitman, stated that it was clear on the films that MYSTIC OCEAN had to check out of a diminishing gap, ease back and come again to finish on strongly, being only a nose away from NOIVERN at the line. He added that MYSTIC OCEAN lost at least 3 lengths due to the incident and without the interference suffered, would have won the race.

The Rider of  MYSTIC OCEAN, Mr Goindasamy, gave evidence that he had been full of running and improving through a gap on the inside of NOIVERN, when that horse began to shift inwards, putting him in restrictive room. He said his racing room was diminishing, no longer sustainable and he made the decision to check, ease and opt to improve to the outside of NOIVERN. Mr Goindasamy said that once clear, MYSTIC OCEAN ran on strongly to finish only a nose margin from the winner, NOIVERN.

The Respondent, Trainer John Blackadder, stated that there was always a gap for MYSTIC OCEAN to improve on the inside of NOIVERN. He said that it was Mr Goindasamy’s choice to check back and go to the outside of NOIVERN to improve. Mr Blackadder added that MYSTIC OCEAN could have taken the gap and improved through on the inside of NOIVERN, therefore it was a matter of choice by the Rider to ease and go to the outside of NOIVERN.

The Rider of NOIVERN, Hayley Hassman, stated that her horse was racing greenly and as soon as she felt NOIVERN start to shift inwards, she reacted and straightened the horse.

Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson, outlined the Stewards’ interpretation of the alleged interference. He stated that there was definitely crowding to MYSTIC OCEAN, with that horse having to steady for two strides and then elect to ease and shift to the outside to improve around NOIVERN. He added that MYSTIC OCEAN closed off the race well, once clear, finishing within a nose of NOIVERN. Mr Davidson submitted that the protest had merit.

Reasons for Decision

In accordance with the requirements of the Protest Rule, the Adjudicative Committee must firstly establish that interference occurred; and secondly, if interference is established, the horse interfered with would have beaten the other runner, had such interference not occurred.

After hearing submissions and reviewing the video footage, the Adjudicative Committee was satisfied that MYSTIC OCEAN was established in the gap inside NOIVERN by at least 1/2 a length near the 250m. The Adjudicative Committee also found that when NOIVERN began to shift in, MYSTIC OCEAN was then placed in restricted room with little choice but to check, ease out of the gap, which was diminishing and find clear running. The Adjudicative Committee also found that the head on films clearly showed the gap between the horses narrowed down to such a degree, that MYSTIC OCEAN had no choice, but to check and ease out of the gap.

The Adjudicative Committee is satisfied that NOIVERN did interfere with the chances of  MYSTIC OCEAN, and having considered the degree and nature of the interference, the way both horses finished the race off and the close margin being a nose at the finish, the Adjudicative Committee determined that, free of interference, MYSTIC OCEAN would have beaten NOIVERN.

On that basis, the protest is upheld.

Decision

The protest was upheld and the amended placings were:

1st   No. 14   MYSTIC OCEAN

2nd  No. 5    NOIVERN

3rd   No. 2    MONTERO

4th   No. 12   PORCIA CATONIS

The Adjudicative Committee authorised the payment of stakes and dividends in accordance with its decision.