Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 12 July 2023 – R2 – DEVIL IN DISGUISE

EVIDENCE:

Following the running of Race 2, Stipendiary Steward Mr Mark Davidson presented an Information by way of a protest. Mr Paul Harris, the Trainer of the fourth placed horse ECCELLENZA, alleged his horse suffered interference from DEVIL IN DISGUISE, who was placed third by the Judge.

The Official Placings were:

1st   3   IN AWE

2nd  6   HEREIGOAGAIN

3rd   1   DEVIL IN DISGUISE

4th   5   ECCELLENZA

All parties confirmed they had a clear understanding of the Protest Rule.

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr John Oatham demonstrated the incident showing both horses finishing strongly down the centre of the track. He pointed to a few strides short of the winning post, the horses coming together for a stride. The official margin between the pair was a ½ neck he said.

Mr Harris said his horse had been inconvenienced by DEVIL IN DISGUISE and the contact was severe enough to put her off her rightful line. He said he believed at the point of contact, his horse was going to comfortably run third.

Ms Tanya Jonker, the Rider of ECCELLENZA, said her horse had received a decent enough shove which she had to recover from and then pick herself up and go again. She said her horse was fighting for the line and felt she would have run third, had it not been for the interference.

Ms Kelsey Hannan, the Rider of DEVIL IN DISGUISE, said she agreed her horse has run out slightly, but had not caused too much grief to ECCELLENZA. She said Ms Jonker has not stopped riding her horse out.

Mr Robinson, the Trainer of DEVIL IN DISGUISE, said his horse has rolled out a shade and they have brushed together just short of the line. He said his horse hasn’t forced ECCELLENZA over any extra ground and Ms Jonker has kept riding to the finish.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Adjudicative Committee carefully considered all submissions and available videos.

It was clear that contact was made on one occasion, approximately 3 strides from the winning post. Both horses were finishing strongly and both Riders rode out the race without any pauses. The Adjudicative Committee could not be conclusively sure ECCELLENZA would have beaten DEVIL IN DISGUISE had contact not occurred.

CONCLUSION:

The protest was dismissed, and stakes and dividends were ordered to be paid in accordance with the Judge’s placings.