LAHORE, April 4: Following their controversial decision regarding upholding an objection and disqualifying Tan Man Dhan for ‘crossing’ on March 28, Lahore Race Club (LRC) stewards amended the crossing rule on Wednesday.

On March 28, Tan Man Dhan had won a supporting event but the LRC stewards awarded the race to Mama Mia when M. Wasim Khan and Shakeel Mahmood, the riders of Mama Mia and Rana Choice, raised objections against Tan Man Dhan for bumping and crossing.

According to the new rule, the LRC stewards have to consider ground realities before taking final decision. The rule says that any horse which crosses another in the final straight before he is two lengths (approximately 20 feet) in front will be disqualified unless it is proved that the crossing did not impede any horse and the impeded horse had a fair chance of winning.

Offending jockeys will not be allowed to take part in racing for two weeks and fined Rs10,000, the new rule said.

If a horse or its rider jostles or in any way interferes with another horse or its rider, the offender is liable to be disqualified unless the offence is proved wrong.

If any horse be disqualified for crossing or jostling, all other horses of the same owner will also be disqualified.

The new rule, which has been amended on instructions of LRC chairman Tariq Aziz, has also given powers to the stewards to take suo moto action against the offenders.

On Wednesday, two objections were lodged but both of them were turned down by the stewards. —A.G