False start drama at Phar Lap Raceway

Dramatic scenes coming out of New Zealand this morning with the second race at Phar Lap Raceway being declared a race after jockeys failed to adhere to the false start signal.

The race was immediately flagged as a false start after 6 of the 14 runners failed to jump out of the barriers due to a barrier fault. The remaining 8 horses continued to run the race to the finishing post.

It took the New Zealand stewards nearly an hour to rule on the race with most, including the race caller, believing the race would be declared as a no race. However the stewards declared that the 8 horses that jumped would be declared a race with the eventual winner Urban taking home the prize.

Meanwhile the 6 horses that failed to jump were ruled as late scratching despite the gates failing to open.

R2 at Timaru declared a race. Urban is your winner. The six horses left in the gates are all late scratchings.

— TABTrackside (@TABTrackside) October 9, 2015

Seriously shouldn't take this long to make a decision at Timaru

— Clint Wallis (@thebeachmarn) October 9, 2015