Waikato TR 2 May 2026 – R7 (Request for a Ruling) – HAKKINEN

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 7, a Request for a Ruling was filed pursuant to Rule 649(3). The Applicant, Deputy Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr B Jones, alleged that Mr S McNab, the Rider of the 3rd placed HAKKINEN, weighed in in excess of 1.3kg underweight.

Rule 648(3) provides that:

If, on being weighed in, a Rider cannot draw the proper weight (meaning thereby the weight allotted by the Handicapper for his horse to carry and adjusted only by any re-handicap, by having been declared overweight, by penalty or by authorised allowance) the Clerk of the Scales shall allow such rider 0.5 kg and if the allowance is not sufficient to enable the proper weight to be drawn then subject to sub-Rule (4) of this Rule then in addition to any other penalty which may be imposed the horse shall be disqualified for the Race.

Rule 649(3) provides that:

A Rider must not weigh-in at a weight that exceeds or is less than the proper weight as is defined in and with the allowance permitted by Rule 648(3).

Submissions for Decision:

Mr Jones advised the Adjudicative Committee that during the post-race weigh in. Mr R Sanders, Clerk of the Scales, identified Mr McNab, the Rider of HAKKINEN, weighed in 1.3kg under its allocated handicapped weight. The weight discrepancy takes into account the allowance for the protective vest. HAKKINEN finished in 3rd place.

Mr Jones sought disqualification of HAKKINEN. In addition, pursuant to Rule 357(2) he sought the forfeiture of Mr McNab’s riding fee.

In explanation, Mr McNab advised that when he weighed out, he stood on the scales holding in his hand the requisite lead, but forgot to place it in his lead bag. He accepted the error.

Mr Trumper was present at the hearing, representing the interests of the connects of HAKKINEN. He also accepted that an error had occurred and advised the request for disqualification of HAKKINEN was uncontested.

Reasons for Decision:

After considering the submissions, the Adjudicative Committee was satisfied that Mr McNab weighed in at 1.3kg under his weigh-out weight. The Rule allows for no discretion and disqualification of the horse is mandatory.

Decision:

Pursuant to Rule 649(3), the Adjudicative Committee determined that HAKKINEN be disqualified from the race and Mr McNab forfeit his riding fee. The race placings are amended in accordance with this decision.