Wanganui JC 22 November 2025 – R6 – PSYCLONE

Evidence

Following the running of Race 6, an Information was filed Instigating a Protest pursuant to Rule 642(1). The Applicant, Trainer Bryce Newman, alleged that horse number 7 (PSYCLONE), placed 1st by the Judge, interfered with the chances of horse number 6 (BLUE JEANIE), placed 2nd by the Judge.

The interference was alleged to have occurred in the final straight.

The Judge’s provisional placings were as follows:

1st    No. 7        PSYCLONE

2nd   No. 6        BLUE JEANIE

3rd    No. 10      LEAVE A LIGHT ON

4th    No. 2=14  (deadheat) FOUR SQUARE PETE & KNICKERLESS

The official margin was a long neck.

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 the Stewards present all available race films of the alleged interference and identify the relevant runners. Head-on, side-on, and rear-view angles were shown.

Mr Newman, Trainer of the second-placed horse BLUE JEANIE, submitted that the films made the matter clear-cut. PSYCLONE when leading, ran out and took the line of BLUE JEANIE, with Rider J Chung failing to straighten his mount. He said Mr Chung carted BLUE JEANIE out wide, causing Ms Riddell to stop riding. Ms Riddell confirmed this account, noting she was travelling strongly at the time and believed she had PSYCLONE covered until her line was taken.

The Respondent Mr G Lowry, stated that Ms Riddell did not have to stop riding and had every opportunity to go past PSYCLONE. Mr Chung said there was no contact and there was quite a margin at the finish.

Stipendiary Steward Mr Goodwin advised that, in the view of the Stewards, the protest had merit. He noted that PSYCLONE shifted out approximately five to six horse widths, clearly impacting the momentum of BLUE JEANIE.

Reasons for Decision

Under the relevant Protest Rule, the Adjudicative Committee must first determine whether interference occurred. If interference is proven, the Adjudicative Committee must then decide whether, had that interference not occurred, the affected horse would have finished ahead of the other.

After considering all submissions and reviewing the available footage, the Adjudicative Committee finds that PSYCLONE did shift outwards in the home straight when leading. At this point, BLUE JEANIE was positioned to its outside, closing ground. The outward movement of PSYCLONE forced BLUE JEANIE to cover significant additional ground and disrupted its momentum. After being hampered, BLUE JEANIE rebalanced and finished strongly, reducing the margin at the finish line.

The Adjudicative Committee is satisfied that PSYCLONE’s outward shift constituted interference that hindered BLUE JEANIE’s legitimate chance of winning the race. While relegation is not automatic, the Adjudicative Committee carefully considered the extent and effect of PSYCLONE’s outward movement, the degree to which BLUE JEANIE’s run and momentum were disrupted, and the way both horses finished the race, including the final margin between them. Having weighed these factors, the Adjudicative Committee is satisfied that, had the interference not occurred, BLUE JEANIE would have finished ahead of PSYCLONE.

Accordingly, the protest is upheld.

Decision:

Amended placings were:

1st   No. 6        BLUE JEANIE

2nd  No. 7        PSYCLONE

3rd   No. 10      LEAVE A LIGHT ON

4th   No. 2=14  (deadheat) FOUR SQUARE PETE & KNICKERLESS

The Adjudicative Committee authorised the payment of stakes and dividends in accordance with its decision.