Taranaki RI 14 February 2025 – R6 – LOVELY FRIENDS

Evidence

Following the running of Race 6, an Information was filed Instigating a Protest pursuant to Rule 642(1). The Applicant Mr Joe Doyle, Rider of LUCAN alleged that horse number 3 (LOVELY FRIENDS), placed 2nd by the Judge, interfered with the chances of horse number 7 (LUCAN), placed 3rd by the Judge.

The alleged interference occurred over the concluding stages.

The Judge’s provisional placings were as follows:

1st   No. 1   SIR BRUCE

2nd  No. 3   LOVELY FRIENDS

3rd   No. 7   LUCAN

4th   No. 9   TEMPEST MOON

The official margin was a nose between 2nd and 3rd placed horses.

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. Mr Rooke, riding LOVELY FRIENDS, came through on the inside of LUCAN as the field were turning for home. These two runners then raced side by side to the line, finishing in 2nd and 3rd places.

The Applicant Mr Doyle, used the head-on film to present his case. He said after turning for home, Mr Rooke moved outwards and forced his mount (LUCAN) out into the middle of the track. He had to put both hands back on the reins to try and keep balanced and believed he should have run 2nd. Ms Sweeney, Trainer of LUCAN, said her horse had been inconvenienced when pushed off-stride by LOVELY FRIENDS moving outwards. Considering the nose margin, she believed LUCAN would have run 2nd.

Mr Rooke (Rider of LOVELY FRIENDS), said he swung off the bend, then further down the track, got his whip stuck under the arm of Mr Doyle, due to the close proximity of LUCAN. Mr Richards said both horses moved ground coming around the bend. He wasn’t convinced the interference made any difference to the result, but noted that LOVELY FRIENDS came from a position behind LUCAN, and Mr Doyle never had to stop riding.

Stipendiary Steward Mr Goodwin, outlined the Stewards’ interpretation of the alleged interference. He pointed out a legitimate gap at the top of the straight for Mr Rooke to come through, and when he did, Mr Doyle moved inwards, causing both runners to become unbalanced. Mr Doyle moved inwards under pressure again down the straight and Mr Rooke’s mount laid outwards under pressure.

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 found that while there were two incidents of interference between LOVELY FRIENDS and LUCAN, neither could be solely attributed to LOVELY FRIENDS. Mr Rooke (LOVELY FRIENDS) had a legitimate gap to move into at the top of the straight, coming from well behind LUCAN.  When Mr Doyle (LUCAN) tried to hold him in, both runners become unbalanced. From there until the finish, the two horses raced side by side, with Mr Doyle drifting gradually inwards, followed by Mr Rooke moving out. Given the movement from both Riders and the inability to identify a single party responsible for the interference, the Adjudicative Committee exercised its discretion and dismissed the protest.

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.