Questions have been raised by a reader about the Stipes decision to treat the fancied Red Rascal as a runner in the final race at Kenilworth on Tuesday.
The obviously upset reader sent us freeze frame shots of the start of the eight race.
We watched the replay on www.tellytrack.com and it appears that Red Rascal rears a moment before the start is effected and nudges his gate open.
The Starter confirms that the Adam Marcus galloper ‘struck the front gate shortly before the start was effected’.
The Stipes report says that the start was reviewed regarding Red Rascal (C Zackey) in stall gate 6. It confirms the horse struck the front gate shortly before the start was effected, and the patrol films showed that this gelding gained no advantage, and therefore was declared to be a runner.
Our unhappy reader indicates in his email that ‘it’s sad that the punters have no voice in this game its absolutely pathetic.’
He writes:
I thank Vee Moodley for responding and directing me through the right channels – I appreciate it. But there needs to be something done seriously to at least stand for those 99% of punters who just can’t do ‘anything’ – but just watch. I don’t blame them no matter if you take a R6 Pick 6 or a R200 PA. You are still a punter.
We referred the matter to NHA Racing Control Executive, Arnold Hyde.
He responded:
I am out of Office at present – however the Stipes report clearly sets out how the Stipendiary Stewards arrived at the decision.
Does it? What is the rule reference?
The mere fact that the horse pushed its gate open ahead of the rest and jumped early doesn’t seem to count. The subjective assessment of whether the horse is deemed to have gained an advantage or not obviously weighs in favour of declaring it a non-runner.
And what happens if Red Rascal had won the race?
And read rule 61.6.11:
The only HORSES which shall be deemed to have started will be those in the stalls when the starter releases the gates; provided that the SB after a hearing, may in its sole discretion and within the time period specified for the lodging of notification of an OBJECTION, declare any HORSE to be a non-starter.
So was Red Rascal in the stalls?
Maybe the punter deserves more detail from the Stipes – rather than simply that Red Rascal didn’t gain an advantage.
