Otago RC 5 February 2022 – R3 (request for a ruling) – PLAY THE FIELD
ID: RIB7298
Animal Name:
Play the Field
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
05/02/2022
Race Club:
Otago Racing Club
Race Location:
Wingatui Racecourse - 285 Gladstone Road North, Mosgiel, Dunedin,
Race Number:
R3
Hearing Date:
05/02/2022
Hearing Location:
Dunedin
Outcome: Determination
Penalty: PLAY THE FIELD was not denied a fair start
Mr Davidson requested a ruling as to whether PLAY THE FIELD was denied a fair start in Race 3.
Rule 632(1) states: “If, in the opinion of the Adjudicative Committee, a horse which does not finish in the first four placings … is denied a fair start and such occurrence materially prejudiced the chances of that horse (but not where the horse is slow away by its own accord), the Adjudicative Committee may declare such horse to be a non-starter.”
Mr Davidson demonstrated on the videos that the horse had its head to the side and in the next gate as the gates opened. The horse missed the start by a couple of lengths.
Mr May said he intended to take PLAY THE FIELD to the front and was unable to do so because the horse had missed the start. He said his horse had turned its head and he was trying to make everyone aware, but the gates opened. Mr May wondered whether PLAY THE FIELD was trying to bite the Rider of the horse beside him.
PLAY THE FIELD was clearly fractious before the start. Its head can be seen to be turned and over the barrier to the next stall. Mr May was trying to draw the Starter’s attention to this fact but he was not successful. Although an Attendant was behind the gate at the time, he played no part in the incident. The horse was slow away, missing the start by a couple of lengths, but this was due to the horse’s own actions.
The Stipendiary Steward, Mr Davidson, was advised that the horse had not been denied a fair start pursuant to r 632(1).
Decision Date: 05/02/2022
Publish Date: 08/02/2022