‘Botched’ race riles punters

Confusion after runner appears to be denied fair start

PUNTERS at Geelong were left dumbfounded and out of pocket after a horse was disadvantaged by a slow barrier yesterday.

Royale Effort, trained by David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, finished third in Race 4 at Geelong Synthetic after its barrier opened slower than its rivals.

But punters were denied a refund under a rule which prevents horses that run top three in a race from being declared a non-runner.

Stewards deemed Lil’ Bit Sassy — which finished sixth — would be a late scratching after watching the footage, declaring that a barrier attendant denied the horse from a fair start.

Meanwhile, jockey Stephen Baster pulled his mount Spring Choice out of the race after hearing a call from a starter or barrier attendant declaring the race a false start.

Baster argued that the race should have been declared a non-race, but stewards deemed his evidence was not enough to put a line through the 1000m event.

“Obviously Stephen Baster was of the belief the race would be declared a non-race or the starter may affect a false start, but you have to play the umpire’s whistle so it was declared a runner,” steward James Hitchcock told Racing.com. “Having viewed the film, it was evident Cory Parish’s mount Lil’ Bit Sassy, it was being held by an attendant and its start was affected, so we felt it was therefore denied a fair start and that horse was accordingly declared a non-runner.”

But the biggest backlash has come from the rule which prevents placed horses from being declared non-runners.

Royale Effort was a $5.50 chance with TAB, but his chances were effectively over after his barrier failed to open with his rivals.

It’s believed the rule is in place to protect owners and connections who would miss out on prizemoney if their horse is declared a non-runner.

But the rule denies punters from getting their money back.

“It was clearly evident on the film its barrier didn’t open simultaneous to the other runners, but because it was placed third, the rules provide that any horse that’s placed first, second or third cannot be denied a non-runner, therefore it was also deemed a starter,” Hitchcock said.

Trainer Manny Gelagotis tweeted his dismay at the ruling.

“That’s as bad a decision as I’ve seen on a racecourse! Just doesn’t make any sense! So many scenarios that made that a no race #unfair,” he wrote. MOONEE VALLEY FORM STARTS PAGE 66