Breeders’ Stakes win was disputed
Graeme Rogerson added another string to his already considerable bow at Matamata last Saturday.
The Tuhikaramea trainer has gained an international reputation as a top class conditioner of race horses. Major race wins, including the Golden Slipper, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup, have endorsed that reputation.
As the runners flashed across the line in Saturday’s Matamata Breeders Stakes, it looked as though Rogerson and training partner wife Debbie, had notched up another notable win with their filly Serena Miss narrowly holding on in a thrilling three-way finish.
As Rogerson was delivering another post-race winning interview, the siren sounded, indicating a protest against Serena Miss for alleged interference over the final stages.
This is where Rogerson added another string to his bow.
Once in the judicial room, Rogerson the horse trainer transformed into Rogerson the lawyer. On course patrons were able to witness the dramatic and tense scenes unfold, courtesy of Trackside and the large in-field screen. It was dramatic and tense with so much at stake – the Group Two status and the $100,000 purse ensuring so.
The connections of runner-up Nahema, trained by Stephen Marsh, lodged the protest, and after looking at the film of the final stages, I could completely understand why they did.
The head on film showed inward movement by Serena Miss and with third place-getter Strata Lady also moving outwards simul- taneously, Nahema appeared to be ‘‘squeezed’’ for racing room.
Stephen Marsh gave what I thought was a compelling case for the relegation of Serena Miss, clearly identifying the inward movement of the winner onto Nahema. Marsh also mentioned several times, the winning margin was just a nose.
When Rogerson ‘‘took the stand’’ he immediately exclaimed that ‘‘the best horse won the race.’’
‘‘Run the race a hundred times and Serena Miss wins every time,’’ said Rogerson.
He added: ‘‘The only reason why Nahema has got close is because Leith Innes, the rider of Serena Miss, stopped riding.’’
Innes also added that Michael McNab, rider of Nahema, never stopped riding his horse.
The acknowledgement by chief stipendiary steward, John Oatham, that interference did occur was particularly crucial.
Rogerson, by this stage was quite animated, repeating his claims ‘‘the best horse won’’.
When Marsh interrupted Rogerson, the Tuhikaramea trainer quickly reminded him: ‘‘You’ve had your turn . . . now it’s mine,’’ said Rogerson.
Eventually, the JCA panel judged that while interference did occur, they believed Nahema’s chances were not affected because her rider Michael McNab did not stop riding.
Personally, I believe the connections of Nehema were hard done by.
Rogerson’s assertion that the best horse won, and if you ran the race hundred times Serena Miss wins every time, is nothing more than hyperbole and his own personal opinion. It was meaningless. The three factors that should have been addressed were: 1: The margin of victory 2: Did interference occur? 3: Was Michael McNab able to ride Nahema out fully?
As I mentioned earlier the margin was a nose, the smallest possible margin. And, as also mentioned earlier, interference did occur according to chief stipendiary steward John Oatham.
Sure, Strata Lady moved out, but Serena Miss also moved in.
Remember, the margin between first and second was just a nose.
The turning point for me, though, was whether Michael McNab was able to ride Nahema out fully.
After watching the films, it is patently clear to me that he wasn’t.
His riding action was severely compromised due to the acknowledged interference Nahema suffered.
At no stage over the final stages was McNab able to hit Nahema forward of the saddle. Why? Because Serena Miss was all over Nahema like a rash.
The JCA panel disregarded the observations of the chief stipendiary steward and the compelling case of Nahema’s connections. They were hoodwinked. I’ll catch you next week. Cheers, George.