Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards have concluded an inquiry into a report received that My Field Marshal NZ may have suffered a bleeding attack subsequent to winning Race 6 the ‘TAB.COM.AU 4YO & 5YO CHAMPIONSHIP (GROUP 2)’ at the Tabcorp Park Melton meeting conducted on 20 May 2017.
Upon initial inquiry, which included review of the available footage of the post-race presentation ceremony, it was confirmed by a HRV Veterinarian Consultant that My Field Marshal NZ had bled from one nostril. In accordance with Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 101B(2) Stewards stood My Field Marshal NZ down from racing on 2 June 2017 until trialling to the satisfaction of the Stewards on one occasion. My Field Marshal NZ subsequently passed this embargo on 3 June 2017 and as such was free to resume racing.
AHRR 101B(2) states:
If the Stewards determine that a horse has bled from one nostril the horse shall not be eligible to race until it has trialled to the satisfaction of the Stewards.
On 23 June 2017 the HRV Stewards continued their inquiry where evidence was taken from Tim Butt, trainer of My Field Marshal NZ. Mr Butt was assisted throughout the inquiry by Mr David Wonson Snr.
Upon consideration of the evidence in its entirety Stewards could not be satisfied to the required standard that Mr Butt was aware that My Field Marshal NZ had bled from one nostril on 20 May 2017 and accordingly no action was taken for his failure to report this occurrence as the trainer of the horse.
Submissions were heard from Mr Butt and subsequently from Sydney Brown, part-owner of My Field Marshal NZ, concerning the eligibility of the horse to compete the following week at Tabcorp Park Melton on 27 May 2017.
After consideration of the matter, including the submissions tendered, Stewards determined that on 27 May 2017 My Field Marshal NZ was eligible to compete as the horse was not determined to have bled from one nostril until 2 June 2017 and effectively My Field Marshal NZ was not subject to the provisions of AHRR 101B(2) until they were applied by the Stewards on this date. In arriving at this outcome Stewards were mindful of the decision of the Racing Penalties Appeal Tribunal (RPAT) of Western Australia in the appeal of Malcolm Byas where it was determined the equivalent thoroughbred rule was not able to be applied retrospectively.
Harness Racing Victoria