Updated Media Release Golden Mile Trotting Club Friday 15 December 2017- Race 2 Nexans Olex Pace 1750m
21 March, 2018
Harness
Harness – Updated Stewards Inquiry – Golden Mile Trotting Club, Friday, 15 December 2017-Race 2 Nexans Olex Pace (1750m).
The race in question was the subject of a protest by the fourth placed runner WHITBYS GAMBLE against the winner BAPTISM OF FIRE where the Stewards on duty at the time determined to uphold the protest.
In light of additional evidence being available for consideration, in the interests of fairness to all parties, at the recommendation of the GM Racing Integrity, the Integrity Assurance Committee (IAC) has resolved to make a payment to the connections of BAPTISM OF FIRE to the equivalent of first place without requiring the return of stake monies from any other party.
The panel on the night in question who upheld the protest did not have the benefit of the head-on vision at the time due to technical issues. This was one of two races on the night where such footage was not available. That panel formed the opinion to uphold the protest based on the evidence given by the Drivers at the time and their interpretation of the lateral angle only after having watched the race live.
At a Stewards inquiry before a new panel conducted on 8 March 2018 chaired by Chief Steward Brad Lewis into the reason for WHITBYS GAMBLE (A. Cortopassi) receiving interference leaving the 400m in the above race, new and additional evidence not available on the night to the original panel, namely the back-straight head-on footage was considered.
The second inquiry chaired by Mr Lewis, with the benefit of the additional footage and new evidence found, amongst other things that
“Leaving the 400m, BAPTISM OF FIRE then shifted inwards slightly towards WHITBYS GAMBLE which was not in a true trailing position behind CAMS RESURGENCE and when A. Cortopassi attempted to move WHITBYS GAMBLE inwards to race directly behind CAMS RESURGENCE it failed to respond to his actions and as a result contributed to its off foreleg contacting the sulky wheel of C. Saligari causing WHITBYS GAMBLE to break and lose ground.”
The rules provide that such considerations, including interpretation of video footage, are matters of Stewards’ opinion. In this instance a second panel, hearing the matter anew and with the benefit of additional vision not available to the first, has identified a contributing factor with respect to the cause of the interference in question.
Whilst the initial decision made with respect to the cause of the interference when deciding the protest was open to the Stewards based on the available evidence at that time, with the additional evidence of the head-on vision in the back straight and the findings of the second inquiry, there is a prospect that a different opinion may have been arrived at had such footage been available from the outset.
-ENDS
Media Contact:
Russell Quinn – Manager Corporate Communications
Ph: 9445 5418
russell.quinn@rwwa.com.au