Sunshine Sprint Protest 4th v 3rd.

[HaroldParker]

The lass on Destreos, as quick as he is off the arm should of been stuck to Avon's back like glue. She ever so slightly missed the boat but did just enough only to be carved up (checked and off stride) by Darren Weeks on Forever Gold.

The stewards delayed the all clear to have a look and consequently a protest was fired in. Darren Weeks got 4 weeks, protest dismissed ?

They've given the bloke 4 weeks for knocking over Destreos, Forever Gold would of found herself 4 back in the moving line and out of business. The distance between Forever Gold and Destreos at the finish is irrelevant. Do these stewards and it's not only QLD but it is Keystone Cops up there, know anything about racing.

I had no skin in the result of the protest but they couldn't dismiss it then give the bloke 4 weeks later on.

[HaroldParker]

"The ‘all clear’ on this event was delayed to allow driver K Dawson to view the stewards’ footage of an incident which occurred in the back straight on the first occasion shortly after the start. After perusal of the video, Miss Dawson, the driver of DESTREOS which was placed fourth by the judge, lodged a protest against FOREVER GOLD (D Weeks) being declared the third placegetter on grounds of interference on the first turn. After considering the evidence tendered by the drivers and viewing the matter on the official stewards’ patrol film and also considering the beaten margin between third and fourth, the stewards could not be satisfied to the requisite standard that the interference suffered to DESTREOS exceeded the beaten margin between it and FOREVER GOLD and therefore the protest was dismissed.


At a subsequent inquiry D Weeks pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 165 for failing to give sufficient clearance to DESTREOS (NZ) when obtaining the position behind AVONNOVA (S Graham) approaching the first turn which caused DESTREOS (NZ) to be tightened for racing room, contact a marker peg, and race roughly for a short distance. After considering Mr. Week’s good record in this regard and his guilty plea, his licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of four weeks."

"the stewards could not be satisfied to the requisite standard" - it's clearly too much to expect a Stewards panel to have a clue about racing and the difference between leaders back to 4 back in the running lane and either 3W from the half or trailing a horse that went backwards soon after. Forever Gold finishes nearer last than 3rd.

[strong persuader]

It happens all the time :)

http://www.harness.org.au/stewards-reports-detail.cfm?mc=PK050715

"Stewards gave consideration to a protest lodged by driver A Hedges the driver of SPANISHLUSTRE NZ which was placed second past the post against first past the post runner ITSWELLSAID (J Sutton) alleging interference entering the first turn. After considering all the evidence Stewards acknowledged SPANISH LUSTRE NZ had sustained interference at an early point in the race but give the distance from the finish and the positions both horses held in the race Stewards could not ascertain that if the interference had not occurred that SPANISHLUSTRE NZ would have in fact beaten ITS WELLSAID to the finish. Therefore Stewards dismissed the protest and all clear given on the Judge’s numbers.
Driver J Sutton plead guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a) in that as the field entered the first turn has allowed his runner ITS WELLSAID to shift down the track in an attempt to find a position in the lead without the required clearance over SPANISH LUSTRE NZ and as a result that runner has been placed in restricted racing room and was obliged to be checked and shortly thereafter broke stride. Driver J Sutton’s licence to drive in races was suspended for period of 18 days. When considering penalty Stewards took into account it was a first turn offence in addition to his guilty plea and good driving record."


Now take a look at the video; http://www.harnessmediacentre.com.au/trotstv/replays/20343


Let's see, leading vs death seat doesn't have much impact on finishing position! I want these people to train my horses for a while to show me what I'm doing wrong. :)

[Richard prior]

Jesus, These stewards must have the beer googles on, It's clear that Spanish Lustre lost more ground on the first bend after being chopped out and breaking than what the margin was Phil and in my mind, The protest should have been upheld and that should be a given if the winning driver is suspended and exactly the same in Saturday night's Sunshine Sprint, Driver suspended and the placings should have been reversed IMHO.
PS: Hope your keeping warm Phil lol.