Unfortunately UK horse racing is hitting the headlines for all of the wrong reasons with the controversial win by Haradasun on the opening day of Royal Ascot under intense scrutiny. The race has even been covered in Australia where there has been much ridicule of the UK authorities rules which allow pacemakers to help stable mates in races.
The group one race in question saw pacemaker Honoured Guest take up the rails from a very early stage with Johnny Murtagh tucked in behind on favourite Haradasun. As the race unfolded it became apparent to viewers that at the right time Haradasun was set to drive past Honoured Guest and take up the running but what happened next did not go down very well with punters on and off course.
Honoured Guest’s jockey was seen to glimpse over his shoulder to see where Haradasun was and affectively give Murtagh the thumbs up to take up the running. But Haradasun was not on top form that day and the jockey took to the whip to ensure victory. However, as Haradasun went past the finishing post the pace maker had moved right to allow him through on the rails, interfering with a number of runners coming up on the outside. Surprisingly there was no official enquiry and no rebuke for the jockeys or the stable.
Unfortunately UK horse racing is hitting the headlines for all of the wrong reasons with the controversial win by Haradasun on the opening day of Royal Ascot under intense scrutiny. The race has even been covered in Australia where there has been much ridicule of the UK authorities rules which allow pacemakers to help stable mates in races.