© Racing.com

By Brent Zerafa

An inquiry has been opened by Racing Queensland stewards to determine how a winner at Toowoomba carried the wrong saddlecloth number on Saturday night.

Punters were left a little confused as Royal Warfare crossed the line first in race six but was incorrectly wearing saddlecloth No.5, when it should have been No. 4, which was worn by Unimagineable.

The mishap led to the wrong numbers being semaphored on-course and then also by broadcaster Sky Racing.

The issue was noticed by the chief steward overseeing the meeting and correct numbers were adjusted prior to correct weight.
The stewards report released on Sunday details the event as follows;

“Immediately following this race, and prior to the declaration of correct weight, the Chief Steward raised a concern with the numbers, which had been semaphored on Sky Channel and then subsequently on the semaphore board.

“In particular, the Chief Steward was of the view that ROYAL WARFARE was the winner of the event, and not UNIMAGINEABLE as semaphored. Upon return to the enclosure, the Chief Steward directed that the first horse past the post be kept under Stewards’ supervision to be re-identified.

“Upon reinspection it was confirmed that ROYAL WARFARE was the winner of the race. During this process UNIMAGINEABLE was also re-identified.

“Upon investigation it was established that ROYAL WARFARE and UNIMAGINEABLE were presented and subsequently raced in the incorrect saddlecloths.

“When weighing in, both App. M. Savva (ROYAL WARFARE) and M. Palmer (UNIMAGINEABLE) were correctly weighed in at their allotted weights.

“An examination of the Stewards patrol footage also confirmed that both horses started from their correct barriers.

“Subsequently, as Stewards were satisfied that ROYAL WARFARE was the winner of the race despite carrying the incorrect saddlecloth, correct weight was declared as follows: 1st ROYAL WARFARE (No. 4), 2nd GREY SKIES (No. 2), 3rd MT PILATUS (No. 1) and SEVENTY BELOW (No. 9). 

“An inquiry into this matter was adjourned to allow Stewards to give consideration to the totality of the evidence provided by App. M. Savva and Trainer M. Boland (the connections of ROYAL WARFARE) and jockey M. Palmer and Trainer B. Robinson (the connections of UNIMAGINEABLE) in addition to Steward, Mr. L. Carvosso.”

This article first appeared on Racing.com and is reprinted here with their kind permission. To find out more about Racing Victoria's Off the Track program, visit rv.racing.com/the-horse/off-the-track.

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