What I find annoying is that Lee could of legitimately took part in Heat 15, and Steve pate should have been aware of that.
The regulation regarding heat 15 is as follows:-
011.1.27 Heat 15
Heat 15 in Premiership, Championship and NDL League Competitions.
Gate positions are determined by the outcome of the coin toss at the start
of the meeting.
The home Team Manager nominates first, but once nominated these cannot
be amended, except by the Referee should the nomination not conform to
the Regulations.
Nominations must be a ‘qualified’ rider, as follows: -
a) a rider in the 1-5 by MA (subject to them not already having taken
7 rides)
b) a reserve (6 th and 7 th by MA) who is in the top 3 point scorers
(including bonus points) from their programmed rides (subject to
them not already having taken 7 rides). If a rider is disqualified for a Starting Offence a Team Manager may choose
either of the following options: -
a) the rider can start on a 15m handicap in positions c or d (the
opposing team does not change gate positions)
b) is replaced by a reserve who will start from the same gate position
at the tapes (subject to not having already taken 7 rides)
Granted he did not qualify under a) or b), however all that was requires was to nominate James Wright, then let him get disqualified under 2 minute rule. He can then be replaced by a reserve.
Et voila. Lee is in heat 15, as intended. Admittedly it just shows how bonkers the heat 15 regulation is, as it is possible for any of your 1 to 7 to take part. Steve Pate should have been aware of this, especially as it happened in Newcastle's first home match of the season when Paul Starke was excluded in heat 15 for exceeding the two minutes.
Would it have made any difference to the heat result, probably not as Harris was on fire last night.