Timaru HRC 19 November 2022 – R5 – SILVER LININGS

Summary of Facts:

Following the running of Race 5, the Applicant Stipendiary Steward Mr Renault filed an Information pursuant to Rule 870(3) instigating a protest alleging that SILVER LININGS ( T Williams) broke and galloped in excess of 150 metres.

The Respondent Mr Burrows was present at the hearing and indicated the protest was not contested.

The Judge’s provisional placings were:

1st – No 6

2nd – No 7

3rd – No 8

4th – No 11

5th – No 2

Rule 870(3) provides that ‘Any horse which breaks from its gait shall promptly regain its proper gait’.

The Horse Breaking Regulations provide that:

(a) Any horse which breaks from its gait either at the start or during the running of any race and continues on in the break for a distance of 150 metres or greater, shall be deemed to be in breach of Rule 870(3) in that it has failed to promptly regain its proper gait.

Submissions for Decision:

Using available race films, Stipendiary Steward Mr Renault identified SILVER LININGS, shortly after the start of the race, break from its gait. Using the marker pegs as a guide he said that SILVER LININGS went off stride free of interference and galloped for approximately 190 metres.

Mr Renault submitted that SILVER LININGS was therefore in breach of Rule 870(3) and Breaking Horse Regulations and should be disqualified from the race.

In response, the Respondent agreed with Mr Renault’s assessment.

Reasons For Decision:

After hearing submissions and reviewing the race films, it was clearly evident to the Adjudicative Committee that SILVER LININGS broke free of interference and galloped for more than 150 metres.

Accordingly, SILVER LININGS is in breach of r 870(3) and the relevant Breaking Horse Regulations.

Decision:

SILVER LININGS was disqualified.

The amended final placings are:

1st – No 6

2nd – No 7

3rd – No 8

4th – No 2

5th – No 1

Authority was given for stake money and dividends to be paid in accordance with the amended placings.