Riverton TC 12 February 2022 – R1 – HOT SAUCY BETTY

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 1 the BILL KEAST MEMORIAL TROT, the Applicant Stipendiary Steward Mr V Munro filed an Information pursuant to Rule 870(3) instigating a protest alleging that the 4th placed horse by the Judge Hot Saucy Betty broke in excess of 50m in the final 200m.

Mrs Barclay the Driver/Trainer of Hot Saucy Betty advised she wished to contest the protest. Mrs Barclay confirmed she understood the Rule and was present throughout the hearing.

The Judge’s provisional placings were:

1st     NIGHT WATCH (9) B Williamson

2nd   MYSHOUT  (6) M Williamson

3rd    JOHNS BOY (3) K Larson

4th    HOT SAUCY BETTY (8) K Barclay

5th.   FATHER ON DOWN (10) R McLlwrick

Rule 870(3) provides that: any horse which breaks from its gait shall promptly regain its proper gait.

The Breaking Horse Regulations provide that:

(b) Any horse which breaks from its gait within the final 200m of any race and continues on in the break for a distance of 50m or greater shall be deemed in breach of Rule 870(3) in that it has failed to promptly regain its proper gait.

Submissions For Decision:

Using the available race films Stipendiary Steward Mr Munro identified HOT SAUCY BETTY and at the point of where he believed the horse went into a break. Mr Munro identified the two types of pylons, the black pylons being 20m apart from each other and the red pylons being 50m apart. Mr Munro highlighted that he believed HOT SAUCY BETTY had gone into a break for approximately 53m to possibly 55m .

Mr Munro acknowledged that the angles to judge accurately were a little difficult but in his opinion HOT SAUCY BETTY has breached the Rule.

Mrs Barclay also acknowledged after having viewed the films again that it was very tight and perhaps marginal. She did ask when the track was last surveyed and were the pylons accurately placed, as the track will have been resurfaced and levelled at different times.

Mr Munro advised that the track was last surveyed on 28/08/2015.

Mrs Barclay responded that that was quite some time ago and could it be totally accurate.

Reasons for Decision:

After hearing submissions and reviewing the race films it was evident to the Adjudicative Committee that HOT SAUCY BETTY broke free of interference and galloped for more than 50m over the concluding stages of the race. The approximate distance was difficult to ascertain but was somewhere between 53m and 55m given the various angles being presented for viewing.

Accordingly HOT SAUCY BETTY is in breach of Rule 870(3) and the relevant Breaking Horse Regulations.

Decision:

HOT SAUCY BETTY was disqualified from 4th placing. The amended final placings are:

1st  NIGHT WATCH

2nd  MYSHOUT

3rd  JOHNS BOY

4th  FATHER ON DOWN

Authority was given for stake money for dividends to be paid in accordance with the amended placings.