Tatlows for the 2yo's at Melton tonight

[Messenger]

Art Major is a super stallion - 1644 foals in 10yrs
He has 4 of the 12 starters in the fillies Gp2 tonight

http://www.harness.org.au/fields.cfm...&fromstate=vic

[Alan]

When a race like the fillies tatlow final race 6 at melton 16th July is run like this was surely relegation should be an option.
To supply the trophy and $33,000 prize money for a drive like this must be questioned.

[Messenger]

The stewards report will make interesting reading - I can see your point Alan

http://www.harness.org.au/meeting-re...ic#MXM16071608

Cody did not seem to see it

http://www.harnesslink.com/Australia...-Tatlow-Stakes

[Messenger]

Going by his interview Michael was pretending there was nothing wrong with his drive

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...Imi_mIk939WQAk

The Stewards gave him 4 weeks

http://www.harness.org.au/stewards-r...fm?mc=MX160716

[Adaptor]

Going by his interview Michael was pretending there was nothing wrong with his drive

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...Imi_mIk939WQAk

The Stewards gave him 4 weeks

http://www.harness.org.au/stewards-r...fm?mc=MX160716

Not nearly severe enough ! Only 4 weeks for that ?
In addition to the impact on the result of the race, there are injured horses and a driver ( Zac Phillips) out for at least 6 weeks injured.

If this had taken place in the USA the winner would have most likely have been disqualified. Some years ago..1999 I think, The Firepan lost the Berry's Creek at the Meadowlands, worth over $800,000 in a similar incident..taking another horses running and causing interference.
Not good enough !

[arlington]

When a race like the fillies tatlow final race 6 at melton 16th July is run like this was surely relegation should be an option.
To supply the trophy and $33,000 prize money for a drive like this must be questioned.

Rule 174.1 has been used before, a semi final of the 2013 4yo C&G breeders crown. Considering how perception and acceptance has changed, timely that relegation would/could/should be on the agenda at the next national harness racing Chairmen of Stewards Conference?

[Messenger]

Thanks for the following Wayne,

Rule

174. (1) Where a driver is found guilty of an offence under a rule contained in part 9 and the offence relates to the way in which the driver has driven or behaved or controlled or failed to control the driver’s horse at the start or during a race, the Stewards in relation to the race in which the offence occurred may give the driver's horse a lower placing or disqualify it for such period they think fit.

When used in 2013

http://www.harness.org.au/meeting-re...ic#MXM28061307

Click on the replay arrow to see how significant the interference and yet minor compared to Michael Stanley's

[Messenger]

Wayne also found this interesting Harnesslink article on the health of NZ harness racing which touches on Relegation:

"We also fail to understand how drivers can be fined or suspended for significant matters involving interference without relegation accompanying the fine. If the action was serious enough to warrant a fine (regarding interference), how could the horse not be put behind the horse affected?"

http://www.harnesslink.com/News/Gordon-Banks

The whole article is a good read. I am not sure what to think about their Entry/Preferences viewpoint and I doubt that their Trainer 3 limit would please the AllStars team

[Alan]

I see Michael Stanley driving this weekend.
Must be appealing penalty?
Surely not?

[Messenger]

I see Michael Stanley driving this weekend.
Must be appealing penalty?
Surely not?

and winning

http://www.harness.org.au/meeting-re...ic#MXM23071607