Start stumps favourite punters at Geelong

Darryl Sherer - Friday September 8

Punters who backed the favourite in the fourth race at Geelong on Friday didn't get much of a run for their money.

Stephen Baster pulled up the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained Spring Choice ($2.60) after several strides of the Maiden Plate over 1000m as he believed it was a false start.

Video footage clearly shows barrier seven for Royale Effort opening late while Lil' Bit Sassy in barrier 10 was declared a non-starter after being held by the attendant as the barriers opened. Spring Choice was drawn on the outside in 11.

Punters were advised to hold all tickets while stewards examined the film before declaring the Hawkes Racing-trained Lakota ($5.30) the winner over The Freak ($101) by a neck with Royale Effort ($6) closing late for third.

Racing Victoria Steward James Hitchcock explained how the rules of racing were applied.

"We spoke to the starter and viewed the film then we spoke to all the riders who participated in the race," Hitchcock told Racing Victoria.

"Having viewed the film it was evident Corey Parish's mount Lil' Bit Sassy was being held by an attendant as the start was being affected, so we felt it was therefore denied a fair start and was accordingly declared a non-runner.

"With regard to Royale Effort it was clearly evident on the film that its barrier didn't open simultaneous to the others but because it was placed third the rules provide that any horse that places first, second or third cannot be declared a non-runner so was deemed a starter."

Hitchcock said the rules of racing were clear regarding the remainder of the field.

"As for the balance of the field we were satisfied that the rest of the gates opened simultaneously and all the runners were afforded a fair start," Hitchcock said.

"Stephen Baster was of the belief that the race would be declared a non-race but you have to play to the umpires whistle so (Spring Choice) was declared a runner.

"It's the starter's call to effect a false start and there are sirens and mechanisms in place for that to occur. That didn't occur so all riders have to ride and treat it as a race - as simple as that."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Punters Taking Sides in Via vs Ceolwulf - Don't forget FannyG
Saturday racing at Randwick sees some of the biggest of the autumn carnival big guns firing their first shots, and hours after the fields were declared the markets were offering up an opinion, with plenty of love for Via Sistina in the Apollo Stakes.
Debut 2YO Winner Blue Point
It is a case of one-and-done for Lodi Dodi in her juvenile season, with the promising filly set to head for a spell after winning on debut in the Brookby Stables (1150m) at Te Aroha on Wednesday.
2025 National Online Yearling Sale Entries Open
Entries for NZB’s 2025 National Online Yearling Sale are now open, with the Sale set to be held on Gavelhouse Plus.
Extreme Choice Weanling Filly Tops Arqana February Mixed Sale
The first sale of the year for French auction house Arqana, the February Mixed Sale on Wednesday was topped by an interesting weanling filly by Newgate Farm’s outstanding sire Extreme Choice, who covers a mare a day all year round in Australia in a bid to combat his well documented fertility issues.
One to Watch – Wyong
When you see Darby Racing, Bjorn Baker and a blue hen, how can that mix not produce a winner?
Sires With Winners - Wednesday February 12
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Wexford filly proves She’s All That
Promising filly She’s All That rewarded the patience of her connections as a fitting winner of the Wexford Stables (1400m) at Te Aroha on Wednesday.
Long Awaited Return for Legarto
Multiple Group One winner Legarto will make her long-awaited return to racing when she heads to her home track at Matamata on Saturday to contest the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m).
Juvenile Trial Watch - Randwick
Five heats for juveniles at Randwick on Thursday morning with the Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner O’Ole given a tick over trial in preparation for a tilt at the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes and we also had a look at the most expensive colt by Dundeel ever sold.
One to Watch – Ipswich
Zousain had a very solid Inglis Classic Yearling Sale with his progeny selling for up to $280,000 off a $22,000 fee and the affordable Widden Stud based son of Zoustar gave us a One to Watch on Wednesday.