Lost by a head, wins on protest

By Tim O’Connor (HRV)

It was déjà vu for connections of Expensive Ego, who crossed the line first in the Group 2 Allied Express Casey Classic but had the race taken away in the stewards’ room at Tabcorp Park last Saturday night.

The Belinda McCarthy-trained star was also first past the post in the Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Grand Final at Menangle in December, however was stripped of the title for interference on Boncel Benjamin in the home straight.

And it was the straight that again caused problems on Saturday night, with connections of Triple Eight lodging a protest against Expensive Ego’s wayward run in the concluding stages of the race.

And stewards agreed. They awarded the victory to the Jess Tubbs-trained (Myrniong) gelding, who looked set to run past his rival before the alleged interference occurred.

Harness Racing Victoria Chairman of Stewards Brett Day explained that there were two parts to driver Greg Sugars’ protest and pointed to incidents immediately upon straightening and also approaching the 100m mark.

“We were satisfied, particularly that second portion, that when he did have to take (Triple Eight) away from Expensive Ego, that it was quite an abrupt movement, that he had to really pull Triple Eight out and away from Expensive Ego,” he said.

“We were satisfied that given the head margin between the two runners at the finish of the race, that those two incidents in combination, but for those Triple Eight would have finished ahead of Expensive Ego and the protest was upheld.”

Regardless of the protest result, it was a huge performance from Triple Eight. He was wide early from barrier seven and had to sit parked to Expensive Ego for the last lap of the 2240m trip. The field rated a slick 1:53.9min mile rate, with final quarters of 27.4sec and 27.5sec.

The effort puts him right in the picture for next weekend’s Group 1 $500,000 Del-Re National A.G. Hunter Cup, with TAB having him on the fifth line of betting at $8.

A total of 24 horses have been nominated for a place in the Grand Circuit classic, with the final field to be declared on Monday 31 January before the barrier draw is conducted live on TrotsVision from 7pm.

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-02-01/21

in the 1 February 2022 edition
OR
pick up a paper around your town.