Taranaki RI 13 May 2023 – R8 – Request for Ruling – MAUNA LOA

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 8 – the Wash Squad 1600 – an Information by way of a Request for a Ruling was lodged by Stipendiary Steward Mr Chris Simpson. The request, in relation to Rule 632(1) was sought to determine whether MAUNA LOA was denied a fair start.

The pertinent Rule states:

‘If, in the opinion of the Adjudicative Committee, a horse which does not finish in the first four placings was prevented from taking an effective part in a Race owing to the mechanical failure of starting stalls, or is denied a fair start and such occurrence materially prejudiced the chances of that horse (but not where the horse is slow away by its own accord), the Adjudicative Committee may declare such horse to be a non starter.’

Mr Simpson highlighted the incident through available film. On the gates opening, MAUNA LOA left the stalls without Apprentice Jockey Ms Crystal Lindsay in the saddle and thus took no part in the Race. When asked, Ms Lindsay commented that her mount had, on entering the gates, become fractious, primarily as a result of  the horse on her inside, PYTHAGORAS (Ms Bridget Grylls), becoming unsettled. She had attempted to draw her attention to the starting team through a call of ‘man up’. Before she was able to settle her horse, and remount, the gates opened.  When asked, Mr Phillips said that he had been unaware of the plight of Ms Lindsay, had not heard her calls and had been focused on settling PYTHAGORAS.

Decision:

Referenced to the wording of Rule 632(1) along with the circumstances surrounding the start of Race 8, the Adjudicative Committee were satisfied that MAUNA LOA was prevented from taking an effective part in the race through being denied a fair start.

Conclusion:

The Adjudicative Committee declared MAUNA LOA to be a non-runner.