Southland RC 13 December 2025 – R1 – PRETTY FLY

Mr Bothamley, the Rider of MONTE KHAN which finished 4th in Race 1, alleged that PRETTY FLY which was placed 3rd, interfered with its chances in the home straight.

Judge’s placings were:

1st   FLYING DUBAWI

2nd  PULL THE PIN

3rd   PRETTY FLY

4th   MONTE KHAN

The margin between 3rd and 4th was ½ a length.

Mr Bothamley said he been interfered with twice in the home straight by PRETTY FLY. He said that that horse had shifted in when he was going for a run to its inside and he had lost ground, when he had to check off heels. He then took a run to the outside of PRETTY FLY, which had in turn, shifted out and carried him out further on the track than he had wanted. He believed this had cost him 3rd placing.

Mrs Dalton had nothing to add to what Mr Bothamley said.

Mr Kauri said the initial interference to MONTE KHAN was when Mr Campbell (BONSAI BOB) had rolled out. He conceded when he straightened PRETTY FLY, the horse had gone wider on the track than he had intended.

Mr Dennis said initially Mr Campbell had rolled out. Mr Bothamley had been held up for at the most three strides and PRETTY FLY was not stopping at the finish.

Mr Davidson, Senior Stipendiary Steward, was asked to comment on the submissions and the video evidence. He said with respect to the initial interference, there had been movement from the inside horse (BONSAI BOB) as well. He believed Mr Bothamley had been inconvenienced when making his run to the outside of Mr Kauri, who had straightened his mount and had shifted outwards more than he needed to.

Decision

The initial interference to MONTE KHAN occurred when BONSAI BOB moved outwards and PRETTY FLY shifted in. PRETTY FLY could not be said to have been solely at fault, with the more significant movement being that of BONSAI BOB. Mr Bothamley then went for a run to the outside of PRETTY FLY. Mr Kauri at this point, had straightened his mount and had shifted a little wider on the track than he had needed to. Mr Bothamley consequently was forced to make his run a little wider on the track, than he had initially intended. The margin between 3rd and 4th was ½ a length. MONTE KHAN had a 100 metre uninterrupted run to the line and only finished a little better than PRETTY FLY. As Mr Dennis said, PRETTY FLY was not stopping.

Having regard to the degree of interference, which is at the low end, the manner in which the two horses finished the race and the margin of ½ a length, the Adjudicative Committee is not of the opinion that MONTE KHAN would have finished ahead of PRETTY FLY, had the interference not occurred.

Placings and dividends are as called by the Judge.