Waikato RC 20 May 2023 – R8 – THEODEN

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 8, Stipendiary Steward Mr Adrian Dooley lodged an Information requesting a Ruling pursuant to Rule 632(1) to establish whether THEODEN should be declared a non starter due to its Barrier Gate failing to open.

Rule 632(1) provides “If, in the opinion of the Adjudicative Committee, a horse which does not finish in the first four placing’s 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 of its own accord), the Adjudicative Committee may declare such horse to be a non-starter.”

Submission for Decision:

Using the head-on video, it was shown that THEODEN’s barrier gate did not open when the race started. THEODEN was left standing in the barrier.

Given this clear barrier malfunction, Mr Dooley sought the appropriate Ruling.

Reasons for Decision:

The Adjudicative Committee, in light of this clear evidence of malfunction, made the Ruling sought.

Decision:

THEODEN is declared a non starter.