‘ABSOLUTE carnage’ unfolded at Newcastle as SEVEN horses were withdrawn from a race following a false start.
Favourite Klopp was not in the stalls for the 5.00 when virtually all the other runners left.
Bizarre! A false start on the @NewcastleRaces All-Weather…
pic.twitter.com/bNPpg32pjw
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 12, 2020
Confusion reigned as a number of horses ran down the straight to the finish post.
But seven horses were taken out for the 5f race as a restart was announced.
Sky Sports host Leonna Mayor branded the situation: “Absolutely bonkers.”
When the race was eventually rerun it was won by Klopp, who plummeted in price prior to the off.
Winning jockey Harry Russell said: “It’s not the circumstances in which you want to win.
“But it’s happened as we just have to move past it.
“Klopp was grand, I don’t think she knew what was going on. It’s a shame but she’s done what she’s done and she’s won.”
Fans were absolutely livid that the race was allowed to be rerun.
Well would you believe it… Klopp wins the re-run 5pm at @NewcastleRaces under @russellharry97, having not taken part in the first running!
pic.twitter.com/VHgM0H3VjF
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 12, 2020
One said: “Ridiculous if they do not void the race. Rerun unacceptable and horrible for punters.”
Another fumed: “Punters the ones to lose out yet again. Starter has one job! Needs disciplinary action.”
A fellow user wrote: “No way in the world should this count. Everything else has run half a race or more already. Majorly poor. Bets should be void.”
Another commented: “Absolute shambles. Every horse except Klopp has already run half a race. Surely got to void?”
The withdrawn horses were Suwaan, Qaaraat, Debawtry, Fair Ailibi, Jessie Allan, Isabella Ruby and Jordan’s Chris.
There were meant to be 13 horses in the race but only six ran.
Klopp was the 11-4 winner, while 9-1 Global Humor came second and 17-2 shot Kaafy was third.
Klopp’s owners picked £2,780 for the victory, but in punters’ minds the win will be tarnished given not every horse had a fair chance.
One fumed: “The other horses didn’t have a hope in hell! Utter, utter shambles.”
Another said: “Looks like the starter may need a career change.”
One comment read: “Totally ridiculous that the race was run.”
Another a fellow viewer tweeted: “Void race surely! Shocking, just shocking.”
The farcical scenes come just a month after seven horses were disqualified at Fontwell for missing a hurdle in a race.
In that instance, Dharma Rain – the horse that finished second last – was given the victory.
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