Originally Posted by
strong persuader
Correct that relegation isn't available in Australia, but disqualification is still possible, even more effective in terms of punishing a driver and/or horse that causes another horse to lose their chance of obtaining their best possible finishing position.
66. A horse may be disqualified from a race if the horse -
(a) crosses a horse without being clear of it;
(b) jostles or interferes with a horse unless solely in response to the action taken by another horse or driver;
(c) forces a passage where there is insufficient room;
(d) forces a horse out of its ground;
(e) races on the inside of a marker post or if its sulky or part thereof goes on the inside of a marker post;
(f) interferes with another runner so as to cause that runner, or cause its sulky or any part thereof, to go inside a marker post;
(g) being in the home straight and having a clear uninterrupted run to the post, changes course and thereby prejudices or advantages the chances of another runner.
(h) gains an unfair advantage.
So whilst many think of it as relegation, the purpose and intent of Rule 66 is still there and available to be used to achieve the same result. I for one think that if it were applied it would hurriedly clean up the cowboys who think it is OK to knock down another runner and hopefully retain the win even if there is a protest.