Riccarton Park – Hororata 26 March 2022 – R5 – KING COUGAR

Evidence

Following the running of Race number 5, an Information was filed Instigating a Protest pursuant to Rule 642(1). The Applicant Trainer Mr John Blackadder alleged that horse Number 5 KING COUGAR placed 3rd by the Judge interfered with the chances of horse Number 7 EPTIMUM placed 4th by the Judge.

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

The Judge’s provisional placings were as follows:

1st  2  TOBILICIOUS

2nd 8  HARBOURSIDE

3rd  5  KING COUGAR

4th  7  EPTIMUM

The official margin was a head.

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 Applicant stated his horse was held up by KING COUGAR who crossed into his racing line forcing his Jockey to switch to the inside. He said his Jockey had to pause and this stopped the momentum it had which, considering the margin of a head, had cost him 3rd placing.

The Rider of EPTIMUM Mr Krishna Mudhoo, said his horse was checked and is a big horse, takes a good while to wind up and had it not been for the interference he would have ran 3rd.

The Respondent Mr Tyler, Trainer of KING COUGAR, said his horse was clear when it shifted out and the Rider of EPTIMUM hadn’t stopped riding and pushing forward.

The Rider of KING COUGAR Mr Ashvin Mudhoo stated he was clear when his horse drifted out and stated EPTIMUM had plenty of opportunity to beat him.

Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson outlined the Stewards’ interpretation of the alleged interference. He said the Stewards saw some merit in the protest but reminded the Adjudicative Committee it had to be sure, had it not been for the alleged interference, EPTIMUM would have beaten KING COUGAR.

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 established that KING COUGAR has drifted out approaching the 200 metres and EPTIMUM has changed its line and finished to the inside. The alleged check was very minor, more of an inconvenience, and Mr Kirshna Mudhoo has ridden his horse unimpeded, with vigor, for the remaining 190 metres of the race.

The Adjudicative Committee is satisfied that KING COUGAR did hinder EPTIMUM, however having considered the degree and nature of the interference, the way both horses finished the race off and the margins of a head at the finish, the Adjudicative Committee has some doubt that  EPTIMUM would have finished ahead of  KING COUGAR.  On that basis, in the exercise of our discretion, 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 authorized the payment of dividends and stake money in accordance with the decision.