Awesome Rock 2nd in Group 1 Australia Cup
It’s fair to say that was the hardest scenario we have had to all deal with on a race track, and unfortunately the call didn’t go our way. We could go over the ins and outs of the protest but like an umpiring decision in footy we won’t be able to amend the decision and we all now look forward to his next start.
The positives to take away from the run was that he was so brave he did all the work and battled on like a Trojan which was fantastic to see, it just franked what a good horse he is!
Leon is still pretty cut up this morning and will leave him be for 24hours before he makes a call on the boys next start. The good news is that he pulled up well and there are some nice races for him going forward.
It was still a big feather in everyone’s cap yesterday to run so well and a 2nd in the Oz Cup still reads well on his CV! Let’s hope we’re back next year to get that one back.
STEWARD’S REPORT:
Prior to correct weight Hugh Bowman, rider of Preferment (NZ), second past the post, lodged an objection against Awesome Rock (Stephen Baster) being declared the winner alleging interference from the 400m until the winning post. On the evidence it was established that between the 300m and the 200m Awesome Rock shifted out when not clear of Preferment (NZ) taking that horse several horses out off its course, and bearing in mind the short half head margin between the two at the finish, had it not been for this interference Preferment (NZ) would have finished in front of Awesome Rock and therefore the objection was upheld and the placings amended as follows: first placegetter – Preferment (NZ), second placegetter – Awesome Rock, third placegetter – Rising Romance (NZ) and fourth placegetter – Fenway and correct weight was declared.
