Canterbury JC 17 September 2022 – R8 – ZOULUMINOUS

EVIDENCE:

Following the running of Race 8, the Applicant, Opie Bosson, Class A Rider, lodged an Information Requesting a Ruling pursuant to Rule 632(1) to establish whether ZOULUMINOUS, ridden by Mr Bosson, was denied a fair start.

The basis for the request was that ZOULUMINOUS was not in a position to receive a fair start due to the horse sitting down on its haunches as the start was made.

Rule 632(1) provides:

If in the opinion of the Adjudicative Committee, a horse which does not finish in the first four placings 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:

Mr Bosson showed head-on and side-on video replays of the start of the Race.

Mr Bosson said the horse, ZOULIMINOUS, had drawn barrier 12 in the 14-horse field at the 1400 metres start. It became fractious in the barrier and had assistance from a Barrier Attendant.  Mr Bosson stated that he called out to the Starter that the horse was not ready and was attempting to sit down in the barrier when the start was made. He added that ZOULUMINOUS was sitting on its haunches when the start was made and was denied a fair start.

The Starter, Bruce Smaill, stated that he did not hear Mr Bosson calling out and when he looked just prior to the start being called, he could see no issues.

Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr Oatham, gave his interpretation of the incident. He stated that in his opinion, the horse’s manners were to blame and was the reason it was slow to begin.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Adjudicative Committee carefully considered the submissions presented and reviewed the various available camera angles of the race start.

Using the head on films, the Adjudicative Committee was able to slow the opening of the gates as the start was made, giving the Adjudicative Committee a clear view of the actions of the horse, gates and other factors. After viewing, the Adjudicative Committee was satisfied that ZOULUMINOUS was proceeding to sit down on its haunches a fraction of a second before the start was declared, and the gates began to open. We were also satisfied that this incident prevented the horse from receiving a fair start, and that such occurrence materially prejudiced the chances of the horse. Therefore, in the Adjudicative Committee’s opinion, ZOULUMINOUS was denied a fair start.

DECISION:

Accordingly, under the provisions of the Rule, the Adjudicative Committee is of the opinion that the following horse was denied a fair start:

No.  1   ZOULUMINOUS is declared a non runner.