Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 29 July 2022 – R7 – THE BOLD LOOK

Evidence

Following the running of Race number 7, an Information was filed Instigating a Protest pursuant to Rule 642(1). The Applicant, Trainer Mr John Blackadder  alleged that horse Number 3, THE BOLD LOOK placed 1st by the Judge interfered with the chances of horse Number 4, MARCHING ON TAVI, 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. 3  THE BOLD LOOK

2nd No. 4  MARCHING ON TAVI

3rd  No. 1  DOC MARTYN

4th  No. 2  AORANGI ASSASSIN

The official margin between 1st and 2nd was 1 1/4 lengths.

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 the Applicant show all available race films of the alleged interference and identify the runners.

The Applicant, Mr John Blackadder, stated that the 1st placed horse, THE BOLD LOOK, interfered with the chances of his horse, the 2nd placed horse near the 175 metres by shifting in and taking the rightful line of MARCHING ON TAVI. This interference he said, cost him a winning chance and stated MARCHING ON TAVI would have beaten THE BOLD LOOK but for the interference suffered at the 175m.

The Rider of MARCHING ON TAVI, Mr Lee Callaway, stated that the interference suffered when THE BOLD LOOK shifted in, taking his line cost his horse a winning chance and added that the interference cost his mount 1 1/2 to 2 lengths.

The Respondent, Mr Beckett, stated that his horse, THE BOLD LOOK, came from behind MARCHING ON TAVI from near the 400m and despite the inward movement and check caused by his horse to MARCHING ON TAVI, his horse was always going to win, regardless.

Stipendiary Steward Ms Veronica Algar outlined the Stewards’ interpretation of the alleged interference and stated that it was clear that interference had occurred to the 2nd placed horse, MARCHING ON TAVI, by the 1st placed horse, THE BOLD LOOK, near the 175 metres, by shifting in when not clear of that horse, causing a check. Ms Algar added that the official margin of  1 1/4 lenghts was a factor to consider and would leave it up to the Adjudicative Committee to determine whether there was to be a change of placings.

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 there was interference at the 175m by the 1st placed horse, THE BOLD LOOK to the 2nd placed horse, MARCHING ON TAVI. The Adjudicative Committee was also satisfied that THE BOLD LOOK had shifted in when under a ride and taken the rightful line of MARCHING ON TAVI near the 175m.

The Adjudicative Committee is satisfied that THE BOLD LOOK did interfere with the chances of MARCHING ON TAVI near the 175 metres, however, having considered the degree and nature of the interference, the way both horses finished the race off and the official margin of 1 1/4 lengths at the finish, the Adjudicative Committee was not satisfied on the balance of probabilities that, but for the interference suffered by the 2nd placed horse, MARCHING ON TAVI , that horse would have beaten the 1st placed horse, THE BOLD LOOK.  On that basis the protest is dismissed, and the Judge’s placings stand.

Decision

Accordingly, the protest is dismissed, and the Judge’s placings stand. The Adjudicative Committee authorised the payment of dividends and stake money in accordance with the decision.