By MICHAEL GUERIN
Punters who backed Hunka Hickling in the New Zealand Derby were robbed.
The 3-year-old pacer should have been promoted to first after being forced to change his line by favourite Stars And Stripes in the final stages of Saturday night's $100,000 Addington classic.
But that is not how the JCA panel saw Saturday night's thriller.
After a lengthy hearing they deliberated for two minutes before deciding Stars And Stripes would keep the Derby.
This was not a bad decision. It was a shocker.
Stars And Stripes shot clear wide on the track at the top of the straight, then did a left-hand turn and ran to the markers. It was a gutsy win from a hot favourite who started from the outside of the second line. It also proved Stars And Stripes is the best 3-year-old pacer in New Zealand.
There was only one problem. In the process of ducking to the markers Stars And Stripes forced driver Maurice McKendry to change his line with Hunka Hickling. Just for two strides, but it was enough. Hunka Hickling dived at the winner late but missed by a nose.
During Saturday night's inquiry Ken Barron did a superb job of explaining to the JCA panel how Stars And Stripes was actually two lengths clear of Hunka Hickling when he crossed in front of him.
The winner's trainer, John Lischner, joined the chorus before adding that Stars And Stripes started wandering only because he was so good he had shot too far in front too early in the run home.
These may be facts, but they are irrelevant.
What matters is Stars And Stripes, while running erratically, caused Hunka Hickling to have his momentum checked by his driver and then held that horse out by a just a nose.
It doesn't matter if Stars And Stripes had shot 10 lengths clear at the top of the straight before he started his drunken sailor impersonation. He affected the chances of Hunka Hickling. That is without question.
McKendry believes the incident cost Hunka Hickling between a neck and half a length. That is a lot more than a nose.
Hunka Hickling had to change stride just when he was hitting full speed. McKendry had just pulled the plugs and was just getting busy. He was on the road to victory but had to take a slight detour.
It was only a slight detour, but the new road didn't lead to victory.
After the hearing McKendry was stunned. He wasn't alone. Every senior driver I asked believed Stars And Stripes should have been relegated. Even the southern drivers, many of whom are not known for their objectivity when it comes to northerners taking home southern cash.
When Hunka Hickling's trainer Mark Purdon saw the video an hour after the race he was shocked.
"I couldn't attend the inquiry because I had a horse in the next race but I asked to view the video later and I couldn't believe it."
Even Barron was pleasantly surprised. An honest and intelligent man, Barron put his case beautifully. But an hour after the decision he had the look of a school boy who had just got away with something naughty.
He had, but that is his job. On the track he is paid to win races. The same goes in the inquiry room. After all, you don't just give your first New Zealand Derby away, no matter how much your horse tries to.
Harness racing, particularly pacing, needs new stars to fill the shoes of farewelled champions Christian Cullen and Courage Under Fire.
In Stars And Stripes we may have a contender. While he can be a one-trick pony, with the right run he reminds me of a young Our Sir Vancelot or Iraklis, blessed with the speed highlight reels are made of.
I hope Stars And Stripes goes on to greatness. I hope he gets to walk in those shoes, even just for a while, because great horses make racing fun.
Stars And Stripes was the most popular winner of the Derby. The hot favourite, the glamour horse. In years to come when we reflect on this mixed 3-year-old crop the name Stars And Stripes is the one which will sit most comfortably alongside the other great New Zealand Derby winners.
But that still doesn't make it right.
Racing: Relegation of winner only logical result in classic
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