Waikato BOP H 20 January 2022 – R10 – Instigating a Protest – PRESIDENTS TOPSHOT

ID: RIB7068

Respondent(s):
Zev Meredith - Junior Driver

Applicant:
Mr A Dooley, Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Mr A Godsalve

Persons Present:
Mr Dooley, Mr Meredith

Information Number:
A16270

Decision Type:
Protest

Rule(s):
870(3) - Riding/driving infringement

Plea:
Not Contested

Protest:
PRESIDENTS TOPSHOT broke within the final 200m, and galloped in excess of 50m

Animal Name:
PRESIDENTS TOPSHOT

Code:
Harness

Race Date:
20/01/2022

Race Club:
Waikato BOP Harness Racing Inc

Race Location:
Cambridge Raceway - 1 Taylor Street, Cambridge, 3434

Race Number:
R10

Hearing Date:
20/01/2022

Hearing Location:
Cambridge

Outcome: Protest Upheld

Penalty: PRESIDENTS TOPSHOT was disqualified from the race.

Following the running of Race 10 a protest was lodged by Mr Dooley against the 4th placing of PRESIDENTS TOPSHOT. It was alleged the horse broke approaching the 60m and failed to settle.

Junior Driver, Mr Z Meredith was present at the hearing representing the Connections. He indicated on the Information that he did not wish to contest the protest.

The Breaking Horses Regulations state: ‘Any horse which breaks from its gait within the final 200 metres of any race and continues on in the break for a distance of 50 metres or greater, shall be deemed to be in breach of Rule 870(3) in that it has failed to promptly regain its proper gait’.

It was clear on the films that PRESIDENTS TOPSHOT went offstride nearing the 60 metres mark and galloped to the finish where it was in 4th place.

The horse was disqualified from its 4th place.

Amended placings became:

1st – SLY PUNTER

2nd – VALEGRO

3rd – DEBBIE LEE GALLEON

4th – CHELSEA HOTEL

5th – RUN FOREST RUN

Authority was given for payment of stakes and dividends in accordance with the amended placings.

Decision Date: 20/01/2022

Publish Date: 24/01/2022