PDA

View Full Version : Mobile Starts - Horses That Refuse The Gate



Allan
01-22-2011, 06:42 AM
I have to ask what happens in Europe when you use a mobile start and a horse resfuses to come to the starting gate as soon as it begins moving. Do punters lose their wager, do you have a recall or what?

In Canada, they have a fair start rule where if a horse is 200 feet or more behind at the start he races but is scratched for wagering purposes. In the United States, if that situation happens, you lose your bet while people are still wagering; even when the horse refuses the gate or goes off stride a quarter mile before the start of the race.

In NJ, the racing commission voted down the implementation of a fair start rule which is what makes me ask what gets done in Europe? I realize each country may do something different. Any assistance you can provide would be appreciated.

Danno
11-26-2011, 09:07 AM
Allan,
can't help with Europe but here in NSW Australia, where we have some racing where all starters are off the gate and some tracks have only six or seven on the gate and the rest come off a second line disrectly behind them we one clear rule--- if the horse that misbehaves interferes with another runner we have a restart.
If, however that horse does not interfere with any others then the starter says go and all bets are on.

If the horse that is causing the problems has a gear malfunction, the driver contacts the starter, the start is aborted until the gear issue is sorted out and a restart effected.

Some states here have slightly differing rules, where a horse that causes a "false start" due to misbehaviour is moved to the outside gate for a restart and if it plays up again...starter says go and all bets hold, unless there is an appeal to the stewards.

Don't know if this has been of any help, we're a bit different down here we even have "standing starts" for some events where the horses all line up behind an elastic tape until the starter says go, the tape flies back, and it's every man for himself!

This starting method is still quite popular in New Zealand and to a lesser extent in Victoria.

We unfortunately pay too much attention to our mug punters here in Australia. Just about run the game these days and our betting turnover is going down the gurgler year after year all the while.

we'll need slot machines at our tracks as well soon the way things are going.

cheers,

Dan