Judge calls wrong result at Lingfield
Thursday 17 December 2015 15:58, UK
The BHA have amended the result of a race at Lingfield on Saturday after the judge made the wrong call after a photo-finish.
There was a close finish to the Racing Welfare "Junior" Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race at Lingfield Park on December 12, with the judge calling The Blue Bomber the winner by a nose from Quarenta.
However, the placings have been revised following further examination of the photo.
A BHA statement read: "The BHA contacted the Judge and asked him to reconsider his original decision to place THE BLUE BOMBER first and QUARENTA (FR) second in the Racing Welfare "Junior" Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race at Lingfield Park on 12 December 2015.
"After further consideration of the photo finish and viewing video footage to confirm the positioning of each horse, within the time period laid down in Rule (B)62.2 of the Rules of Racing, the Judge corrected his original decision and placed QUARENTA (FR) first and THE BLUE BOMBER second. The BHA confirmed the revised placings.
"The process took place following concerns expressed at the photo finish result of the race by the connections of QUARENTA (FR) and concerns expressed by members of the public to the BHA.
"The BHA has been in discussions with racecourses, including Lingfield Park, where concerns have been held over the quality of the photo finish produced where the image is impacted by distance and deteriorating light. These discussions are ongoing with a view to finding a reasonable solution as soon as possible.
"Additionally, the BHA will consider the processes and practices adopted by Judges where the quality of the photo produced is such that it should not be relied upon alone."
Sky Bet have paid out on both horses as a goodwill gesture, including all singles and multiple bets.
Sky Bet spokesman Michael Shinners said: "The judge had a bad day at the office and common sense has prevailed.
"Most importantly we're making sure all customers who got badly dealt with on Saturday rightly get their winnings and we've paid out on both horses in all singles and multiples."
Here is the photo finish in which Quarenta (4) was initially placed second:
Mick Channon, trainer of The Blue Bomber, has taken the revised decision on the chin.
He said: "I've had a look at it and I still think our horse won on the nod, but the judge is adamant the other horse won, so that's that.
"I'm not one to whinge and moan about these things so we'll just get on with it. I own the horse myself, so it's not the end of the world - nobody has died.
"When they rang me I thought they were ringing to tell me Youmzain had won the Arc (2007) and Dylan Thomas had finished second, so I'm a bit disappointed! I still think we won that day!"
The BHA's discussions with racecourses about the quality of the photo finish produced where the image is impacted by distance and deteriorating light are ongoing with a view to finding a reasonable solution as soon as possible.
Additionally, the BHA will consider the processes and practices adopted by judges where the quality of the photo produced is such that it should not be relied upon alone.
