Wyndham HRC 6 January 2022 – R8 – SWEET ANNIE

ID: RIB6811

Respondent(s):
Craig Ferguson - Driver

Applicant:
Vinny Munro

Adjudicators:
Geoff Hall

Information Number:
A16019

Decision Type:
Protest

Rule(s):
870(5) - Riding/driving infringement

Plea:
Not Contested

Protest:
protest

Animal Name:
SWEET ANNIE

Code:
Harness

Race Date:
06/01/2022

Race Club:
Wyndham Harness Racing Club

Race Location:
Cromwell Racecourse - Wanaka- Queenstown Highway, Cromwell,

Race Number:
R8

Hearing Date:
06/01/2022

Hearing Location:
Cromwell

Outcome: Protest Upheld

Penalty: SWEET ANNIE is relegated

Mr Munro, Stipendiary Steward, alleged that horse 8 SWEET ANNIE in Race 8 galloped over the line and was lapped on by horses 6 HARRISON and 7 GLASSY WEBB.

Judge’s placings were:

1st   4   HILARIOUS PRINCE

2nd   9   I’MALLABOUTHEBASE

3rd    8   SWEET ANNIE

4th   6   HARRISON

5th   7   GLASSY WEBB

The official margin between 3rd and 4th was 1/2 a head and a similar margin to 5th.

Mr Munro demonstrated on the videos that some 30 metres from the winning post SWEET ANNIE broke and continued in a gallop past the finishing line. He explained that the protest was to determine whether SWEET ANNIE was lapped on by HARRISON and GLASSY WEBB.

Mr Ferguson, the Driver of SWEET ANNIE, represented the connections of that horse, and after viewing the photo finish and the videos did not contest the protest.

It was evident from the videos that SWEET ANNIE had jumped something on the track and had galloped as a consequence.

It was clear from the photo finish that SWEET ANNIE galloped across the line and was lapped on by HARRISON and GLASSY WEBB. The Judge’s margins of 1/2 a head and 1/2 a head confirm this.

SWEET ANNIE has broken free of interference and in these circumstances SWEET ANNIE is relegated to behind HARRISON and GLASSY WEBB.

The protest is upheld. Amended placings are:

1st   4   HILARIOUS PRINCE

2nd  9   I’MALLABOUTHEBASE

3rd   6   HARRISON

4th   7   GLASSY WEBB

5th   8   SWEET ANNIE

Stakes and dividends are to be paid accordingly.

Decision Date: 06/01/2022

Publish Date: 10/01/2022