Pizzuto suspended

[Flashing Red]

I know my opinion will be unpopular, but I think 12 months is a pretty harsh penalty. I understand the uproar with this race and wholeheartedly support the stewards in their endeavor to enforce the rules, but here is my .02c....

While it would have "looked" better if Mr Pizzutto had rein driven his charge after he put the whip away, I am of the opinion that even if he kept whipping the horse he would have still finished second. I hadn't watched the race when the last thread on here went wild, but I have since watched it and I think no matter what he did, the horse would have run second anyway.

Just my view, I'm sure most will disagree.

[aussiebreno]

I know my opinion will be unpopular, but I think 12 months is a pretty harsh penalty. I understand the uproar with this race and wholeheartedly support the stewards in their endeavor to enforce the rules, but here is my .02c....

While it would have "looked" better if Mr Pizzutto had rein driven his charge after he put the whip away, I am of the opinion that even if he kept whipping the horse he would have still finished second. I hadn't watched the race when the last thread on here went wild, but I have since watched it and I think no matter what he did, the horse would have run second anyway.

Just my view, I'm sure most will disagree.

Thats opinion. Horse wasn't driven out despite having a chance.

[Flashing Red]

Brenno.... I don't think so?

Rule 156(f)
"a horse shall not be whipped after it has passed the winning post at the finish of a race, its run is finished, or if it cannot maintain or improve its position in the race."

We both know that on a daily basis drivers have stopped driving out their horses, even in close finishes, because they aren't going to improve their position. I think the difference here is that the finish was between two stablemates. You never know what is going through any driver's mind during a race, but I honestly do feel there is a plausible argument here that the horse was not driven out because it couldn't have won anyway. Infact it is a bet hate of mine when drivers continue to whip their horses when they can't improve their position.

I know my view won't be popular, but I have tried to back up my view with a regulation.

[aussiebreno]

Brenno.... I don't think so?

Rule 156(f)
"a horse shall not be whipped after it has passed the winning post at the finish of a race, its run is finished, or if it cannot maintain or improve its position in the race."

We both know that on a daily basis drivers have stopped driving out their horses, even in close finishes, because they aren't going to improve their position. I think the difference here is that the finish was between two stablemates. You never know what is going through any driver's mind during a race, but I honestly do feel there is a plausible argument here that the horse was not driven out because it couldn't have won anyway. Infact it is a bet hate of mine when drivers continue to whip their horses when they can't improve their position.

I know my view won't be popular, but I have tried to back up my view with a regulation.

Yeah but its your/anyones opinion as to whether he would have maintained or improved the horses position. It's run hadn't finished imo and of many on here. That rules a bit of a nuffy rule given the conjecture and shades of grey. At the end of the day we will never know because it wasn't driven out.
That rule is there to stop the abuse of a horse that has clearly lost the race; not as a loophole for actions like Pizzutos.

[strong persuader]

Just my view, I'm sure most will disagree.

Count me among the majority. For mine, the ceasing of urging followed by the look over the right shoulder spoke volumes about what place Mr Pizzuto was content to finish in.

[Suzie]

If you knew Kevin he has always looked over his shoulder since he was in mini trotting this is what it looked like but believe me he had no reason to come second! the winner paid nothing??? watch the race from a different angle and you will see the gear fall off and Kevin look at it!
KEVIN DESERVES AN APPOLOGY

[coldshot]

Without getting into the details of this particular case, I would say that it may be expected under the current circumstances clouding the sport that anyone found guilty of a breach of the rules can expect a stiff penalty. There is still the opportunity to appeal in this case.

[Flashing Red]

the winner paid nothing???

I also think this is in his favour. Betting records normally reveal support for the less fancied stablemates, not the odds-on pop....

[Davo]

I also think this is in his favour. Betting records normally reveal support for the less fancied stablemates, not the odds-on pop....

Not correct.

[Minty]

I watched this race. A number of times. No matter how many times I watch the race I doubt the second placegetter would have caught the winner. Mr Pizzuto has tried to act within the rules of racing in terms of whip use. The horse was maintaining its position and was not going to get beat for second. It would have been wrong to continue to whip this horse. Has any of the people bagging the driver looked up the the sectional times of the race. Has anyone worked out what Our Amazing Art ran his last sectional in? Has anyone tried to estimate waht the horse would have had to run to get over the leader?

The stewards in NSW have made a mess of things. The damage that has been done will take a LONG time to be fixed. If it will be. Unfortunately by now jumping on people whenever they feel like, or whenever the mob want a lynching. Cannot nor will it ever reverse what has happened. Giving out harsher penalities now is not going to fix it, it is like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted. Bit late people, there is no way known this person should have been suspended for 12 months it is ridiculous.

It looks to me that the stewards and other industry participents are on a witch hunt and simply burning this person at the stake. It is not right and only doing the stewards more damage in the eyes of the rest of Australia.