The dramatic finish to Race 3 at Wangaratta took another twist moments after the post when the stable of short-priced favourite Watten Asset rang their on-course strapper and asked them to head straight into the stewards’ room to review the photo finish that had provisionally gone against them.
The race itself was decided by the barest of margins, with Watten Asset and Big Star hitting the line locked together in a gripping duel. Approaching the 200-metre mark, Watten Asset looked set to surge straight past Big Star and put the race to bed, travelling strongly as he loomed alongside the second favourite.
But Big Star, holding the inside running, refused to give ground and fought back bravely under pressure, forcing the judge to call for a photo finish. After a lengthy deliberation, Big Star was provisionally declared the winner, judged to have held a narrow advantage on the inside at the post.
That decision immediately sparked further scrutiny. Unsatisfied with the initial call, the Watten Asset camp requested a closer inspection of the image, prompting an extended stewards’ review that underlined just how fine the margin was between the two runners.
There was plenty riding on the outcome for punters, with Watten Asset heavily backed throughout betting and sent out a clear short-priced favourite.
The photo displayed to punters divided opinion, but judges of course have access to higher-resolution images when determining the official result.
After lengthy deliberations, correct weight was ultimately declared, confirming the original decision.
