RACE 10 – WOODLANDS STUD PACE (1720 MS)

The all clear was withheld to enable Stewards and Rodney Petroff, driver of Major Delico (2nd place) to view the footage in the home straight in relation to Ultimate Vinnie (1st place) racing inside the line of marker pegs in the home straight. After doing so, Rodney Petroff (Major Delico) lodged a protest against Ultimate Vinnie being declared the winner alleging that runner obtained an advantage by racing inside the line of marker pegs. After giving consideration to the evidence and being mindful of rule 163 (2), Stewards established that after accessing and having a clear run in the sprint lane, near the 100m Ultimate Vinnie then shifted in and away from Major Delico which shifted in marginally, where thereafter Ultimate Vinnie raced well inside the line of three marker pegs and driver Sam Barker (Ultimate Vinnie) failed to adequately restrain his drive, rather continued to progress, apply the whip and advance his position. Stewards were therefore sufficiently satisfied that Sam Barker, driver of Ultimate Vinnie had failed to comply with his obligations in accordance with rule 163 (2) which states: If a driver’s horse or sulky shifts inside the line of marker posts, the driver shall restrain the horse and, without interference to another runner, return to a position outside the line of marker posts at the first opportunity and had therefore obtained an advantage to the detriment of Major Delico. On that basis, the protest was upheld and all clear was declared on the placings amended to: Major Delico (1st), Ultimate Vinnie (2nd), Sheffield Sparky (3rd) and Foolish Pleasure (4th). At a subsequent inquiry, driver Sam Barker (Ultimate Vinnie) pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 163 (2). After assessing penalty in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, considering previous penalties imposed under similar circumstances, Mr Barker’s guilty plea, relatively good record and the affect on the outcome of the race, Mr Barker’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 7 days to commence midnight 21 October 2022.

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/st...l/?mc=MX211022

I still wonder whether had Sam Barker pulled back on Vinnie and lost, he could have protested and won on protest