SA this is Absurd

The All-clear for the race was delayed to permit Stewards to review the Judge’s initial placings as it was their observation that KABAYO KING and ARCTIC PEGASUS had carried the incorrect numbers and had started from incorrect positions, although on the correct handicap mark. Having reviewed the official vision the Stewards satisfied that the identity of both horses were confirmed, informed the Judge who, acting under Rule 49(5), corrected the official placings to 5 – 7 – 2 – 6. The Stewards proceeded to examine if either KABAYO KING and ARCTIC PEGASUS had been individually advantage or disadvantaged through starting from the incorrect position, and additionally whether any other runner had been advantaged or disadvantaged. Satisfied that none of the runners had been materially affected through either horse starting from incorrect positions the Stewards determined for the race to stand and declared the All-clear on the Judge’s amended placings.

The Stewards questioned Trainers P Hodgson (KABAYO KING) and M Beasley (ARCTIC PEGASUS) in regard to the presentation of the horses with the incorrect number cloths. Although acknowledging other elements had also contributed to the occurrence Stewards considered offences under Rule 273(6)(a) carried an absolute liability, found both Trainers in breach of the rule and imposed a fine of $200 each. In determining penalty Stewards acknowledged that both Trainers had excellent offence records over many years but considered the penalty as the minimum required to provide general deterrence. Drivers A Chapman (KABAYO KING) and G Pullicino (ARCTIC PEGASUS) were each fined $100 under Rule 162(1)(g) for having started from the incorrect starting position on the 10 metre mark. Stewards have reported to HRSA Management with recommendations regarding measures to prevent a recurrence.

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/ste...l/?mc=GD210322

The race

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...22#GDC21032209

So in the race, the caller is calling them by their correct names (obviously the drivers colours are correct) but No.5 is wearing No.6 and visa versa. I am still somewhat surprised the caller did not notice the mistake when they were circling for the start (not that he had any responsibility here) and a steward should certainly have

If the caller hadn't called them correctly it would certainly have had to be deemed a no race for the integrity of the industry in the eyes of punters. As it is, what about the TV screen punters who are following it without sound eg a noisy sports bar or one where they do not have the sound up - some punter who has had a bet on No.6 thinks he has won. I don't know that the race was affected but for the scenario in the previous sentence that it had to be declared a no race.

The main reason I call it absurd however is the penalties. We are supposed to believe that 2 trainers (and hands) and 2 drivers were all asleep to this problem. That none of the 4 realized the mistake. I do not know if any of them are smart enough to realize the massive harm this nonsense does to the image of the sport but the stewards surely do and apart from calling a No race, the penalties should have been severe

Maybe they have been lenient as at least one of their own has failed massively in not spotting this mistake and they feel it is their fault which is in part true. At the very least, it has to go on somebody's employment record for another such mistake in the next couple of years, would suggest that they are not up to the job