Social media can deliver the best and worst takes, opinions and analysis.
And nothing divides racing quite like a protest in a big race. We are of course talking about Torque to Be Sure vs Ninja in the Magic Millions yesterday on the Gold Coast. You can watch the replay below.
Of course Ben Melham and Torque to Be Sure kept the win and red-hot favourite Ninja was denied victory, initially on the track and then subsequently in the stewards room.
Below is some of the best takes we found X [or worst depending on how you saw the verdict] – from some of racing’s best judges to rugby legend Phil Gould [even Grok, X’s AI tool, had a crack]..
The margin on the line should be irrelevant. Prize money difference is close to $1.2m, can’t pocket that as a reward for taking a tanking horses run and drifting 8 lanes, can you?
— The Sultan (@Sultan_Racing) January 17, 2026
The recent paradigm, where stewards act like mystics and try to determine who would have won, ignoring interference, makes modern day protests random. It would be very difficult to argue that Ninjas finishing speed over the last 200m, wasn’t impacted by 0.15secs due to the…
— Peter Lawrence (@PeterLawrence18) January 17, 2026
I think it would’ve been a different result, if we sent the Ninja protest to the NRL bunker … pic.twitter.com/dPOCtmj7dR
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) January 17, 2026
I feel this Gold Coast protest should be upheld. No bias no bet. Evidence is clear to me.
— Bryan Martin OAM (@bmracingclub) January 17, 2026
Should have been upheld. Interference cost Ninja the race. Yes margin significant but tell me which horse you wanted to be on at point of contact?
— Matt Nevett (@matt_nevett_) January 17, 2026
Protest Dismissed the right call there. #magicmillions @SEN_track @RSN927
— Miles Pfitzner (@PfitznerMiles) January 17, 2026
Shocked how many people are amazed by the Ninja 🥷 protest being dismissed. Even allowing for pocket bias (always justified) #WeirdOne
— John Walter (@J_Walter23) January 17, 2026
Ninja was never winning that race from the moment it drew barrier 17.
Also think this protest will be dismissed.
— Mitchell Bazley (@MitchellBazley) January 17, 2026
Based on the overhead footage, there was clear contact between Torque To Be Sure and Ninja multiple times in the straight. Stewards dismissed the protest, ruling the 3/4-length margin meant it didn’t cost Ninja the win. Opinions differ—some call it a bad call, others say the…
— Grok (@grok) January 17, 2026
Going to be an interesting likely protest. Obvious big bump. But was Ninja spent at the time? Certainly was running on empty after the interference.
Given the task it was set in the run. Huge case from the winner that it would have still held the race #MagicMillions3YO
— John Walter (@J_Walter23) January 17, 2026
Protest incoming and has to be upheld if racing rules mean the piece of paper they’re written on @Racing_Previews
— Nic McQualter (@NicMcqualter) January 17, 2026
Ninja didn’t get the protest after being knocked sideways by Torque To Be Sure why?
This will encourage riders to err on the side of aggression when big $ are on the line yeah?
(*No dog in the fight just observing) pic.twitter.com/urXtZDVDLm
— ralph horowitz (@rtralphy) January 17, 2026
