Only a Matter of Time before it Happens Here?

[JJ Flash 2,135]

 

On Wednesday, Bullys Delight was removed as the winner of the $75,000 Group 2 event after an inquiry into race night stewards decisions to dismiss protests by the two placegetters against the winner.

Rhys Nicholson’s drive sparked outrage in harness racing circles for his excessive and improper whip use as well as him dropping his right foot from the sulky rest to make contact with Bullys Delight’s right hind leg (hock) – an action in harness racing called “hocking”.

Former Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy led the review process and overturned the result.

Bullys Delight winning the 2021 Tasmania Cup before the result was overturned. Picture: Courtney Pearce

 

“In my view, had it not been for the whip, had it not been for the hocking, Bullys Delight wouldn’t have finished in front of the (subsequently) first and second placed horses,” Murrihy said of his decision.

“We cannot accept a victory at any cost approach. You wouldn’t take that risk in a $5000 maiden, but there is more incentive in bigger races and it’s those bigger races which are watched by larger and broader audiences.

“In this case, you have to consider not just the seriousness of the infractions, but the welfare considerations and social licence we have to conduct racing. I looked at the totality and gravity of what occurred.”

Murrihy told Racenet that harness racing whip rules are different to those applied in Thoroughbred racing in that stewards don’t need to be “comfortably satisfied that had the events not occurred that the horses protesting would have finished in front”.

[Dalboy 32]

It was great to the Aussie stewards not mucking around, maybe NZ stewards could do the same, eg Kirstin Barclay driving style in the home straight in the group 1 breeders stakes. Not a mention in the stipes report?