A stewards' inquiry is an investigation by the race-day Stewards into something that happened in or around a race: interference, a rider's tactics, a horse's performance, its gear or a swab. The Australian Rules of Racing give the Stewards power to investigate, inquire into and decide any matter connected with racing (AR 22), and to inquire at any time into the running of any horse (AR 20(h)).
An inquiry is not a protest. A protest is a formal objection to the placings. On race-day grounds such as interference it is decided before correct weight, though a few grounds, such as incorrect weight carried, can be protested up to 30 days after the race (AR 220). An inquiry can run before or long after correct weight, and can end in a penalty for a rider or trainer with the result left as it was.
Who the Stewards are
Under the Australian Rules of Racing, a Steward is a person appointed to the role under the Local Rules of a principal racing authority, or by a state or territory government. On race day the Stewards control the meeting: they determine all questions and protests about racing (AR 21(a)), can order a horse scratched before the start if it is unfit to run (AR 21(j)), and declare correct weight (AR 212).
Inquiry vs protest
| Protest | Stewards' inquiry | |
|---|---|---|
| Who starts it | The horse's nominator, their agent, its trainer or its rider, or a Steward or the Starter in an official capacity (AR 219(1) and (2)) | The Stewards (AR 20 and AR 22) |
| What it is about | The placings: interference, the course run or anything else in the race (AR 219(3)) | Any matter connected with racing |
| When | Before correct weight, for those race-day grounds | Any time, including after correct weight |
| What it can change | The placings, before correct weight (AR 221) | Penalties; and the placings and prize money, but not earlier betting orders once correct weight is declared (AR 214(6)) |
When the Stewards want the placings looked at before correct weight, they can lodge the protest themselves (AR 219(2)). Correct weight and protests works through a protest and its effect on win and place bets, while horse racing betting puts protests in a table with scratchings and dead heats.
How an inquiry can delay or change settlement
| What the Stewards do | When | What happens to bets |
|---|---|---|
| Protest against the winner for interference | Before correct weight | Bets wait, then settle on the placings after the decision (NSW BR 6(1); WA r 55(3)) |
| Inquire into a rider's use of the whip, with no protest | After the race | Settled bets stand; any penalty falls on the rider |
| Disqualify the winner after a positive swab (AR 240) | After correct weight | Prize money is withheld or repaid (AR 223 and AR 224); earlier betting orders stand (AR 214(6)) |
| Postpone settlement to investigate a disqualification, or a possible one | Before bets are paid | NSW on-course: Racing NSW can declare bets off (BR 6(2)); WA bookmakers: settlement waits for the enquiries (r 55(4)) |
These are the rule books' answers. An online bookmaker settles under its own terms, so check what it does with a result changed after it has paid out.
Note: AR numbers belong to the Australian Rules of Racing, which govern thoroughbreds. Harness and greyhound racing have their own rule books.
Terms people confuse with it
- A photo finish is the Judge's call on a close finish, not the Stewards'; the Stewards can step in only if satisfied that the Judge made a mistake in the finishing order (AR 214(4)).
- A dead heat is a tie the Judge cannot split, settled under the dead heat rules of the betting rule book that applies.
Risk: Betting involves risk. A protest or a Stewards' decision can turn a winning bet into a losing one after the horses have crossed the line. See responsible gambling for limits and support.