Timaru HRC 29 May 2022 – R2 – MISS MILLIE

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 2, Stipendiary Steward, Mr P Williams instigated a protest into the 4th placed runner MISS MILLIE alleging a breach of Rule 870(5), namely that “ MISS MILLIE galloped across the finish line in 4th place and was lapped on by the 5th placed horse THE FIERY COUNTESS and the 6th placed horse MAJESTIC WHISPER”.

Rule 870 (5) provides:

Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-rule (4) hereof any horse which is not in the correct gait when its nose reaches the finish line and which is lapped on by any other horse or horses in the correct gait shall be placed by the Adjudicative Committee behind such horse or horses provided that where such mentioned horse is not in its correct gait as a result of interference to such horse or its driver, then (subject to Rule 869A) such relegation of the horse shall be at the discretion of the Adjudicative Committee.

The Respondent ,Mr Williamson was not present at the hearing but both he and Ms Amber Leathaby, Trainer of MISS MILLIE, were spoken to by the Stewards and had indicated the protest was not contested.

The Information was endorsed accordingly.

The provisional placings are:

1^st – No 4

2^nd – No 12

3^rd – No 9

4^th-  No 5

5th – No 2

The official margins were 4 1/2 – 1/2neck – nose – 3/4

Submissions For Decision:

Stipendiary Steward, Mr Williams stated that near the 20 metres MISS MILLIE has broken free of interference and has galloped across the finishing post in 4th placing and was lapped on by THE FIERY COUNTESS and MAJESTIC WHISPER.

Mr Williams said Stewards were seeking the relegation of MISS MILLIE from 4th to 6th placing.

Reasons For Decision:

On reviewing the Race films of the concluding stages of the race it is apparent that MISS MILLIE broke its gait 2 strides from the winning post, free of interference, and was lapped on by THE FIERY COUNTESS and MAJESTIC WHISPER at the finish line.

Decision:

The protest is upheld and MISS MILLIE is relegated from 4th to 6th placing.

The amended placings are:

1^st – No 4

2^nd – No 12

3^rd – No 9

4^th – No 2

5^th – No 18

In accordance with this decision, the payment of stakes and dividends is authorised.