Back to decisions search

Wyndham HRC 12 October 2023 – R9 (Request for a Ruling) – AMERICAN MAC

ID: RIB28596

Respondent(s):
Syd Breen - Trainer

Applicant:
Mr Shane Renault, Stipendiary Steward

Adjudicators:
Geoff Hall

Persons Present:
Mr Renault, Mr Breen

Information Number:
A17145

Decision Type:
Request for Ruling

Rule(s):
213(1)(j)

Request for Ruling:
Whether AMERIAN MAC gained a fair start

Stewards Report

Results

Animal Name:
AMERICAN MAC

Code:
Harness

Race Date:
12/10/2023

Race Club:
Wyndham Harness Racing Club

Race Location:
Wyndham Racecourse - Alma St, Wyndham, 9892

Race Number:
R9

Hearing Date:
12/10/2023

Hearing Location:
Wyndham

Outcome: Determination

Penalty: AMERICAN MAC had not been denied a fair start

Mr Renault sought a Ruling as to determine whether AMERICAN MAC was denied a fair start in Race 9.

Mr Breen, the Trainer of AMERICAN MAC, spoke first. He pointed out that HACKSAW RIDGE had played up at the start and was being attended to by a Starter’s assistant.  AMERICAN MAC had to shift inwards to go around the assistant and that horse. AMERICAN MAC’s Driver, Mr Hurrell, then had to stoke the horse up to catch the mobile.

Mr Renault demonstrated on the videos that AMERICAN MAC had caught the field by the candy pole.

Ruling

The videos evidence that AMERICAN MAC was slow away of its own accord before HACKSAW RIDGE went up in the air.  A Starter’s assistant was helping that horse but AMERICAN MAC was able to skirt round him and the horse without any significant loss of momentum. The horse then gained the field by the candy pole and was behind the mobile in its correct position when the field was released from the arm.

The Adjudicative Committee determined that AMERICAN MAC had not been denied a fair start and advised the Stewards accordingly.

Decision Date: 12/10/2023

Publish Date: 18/10/2023