JOCKEY Jamie Spencer has sensationally been accused of using a ‘professional foul’ to win £169,000.
The legendary rider scooped the massive pot with victory on Via Sistina in last Saturday’s Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh in Ireland.
Look at her go!
Via Sistina shows a great turn of foot to be first past the post in the Yulong Pretty Polly Stakes under @JPSPENCER1980 for @gbougheyracing.
Stewards Enquiry called after several runners suffered interference near the finish. @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/txE6Sopv4I
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 1, 2023
Spencer has already been banned after his Pretty Polly win and now Via Sistina’s owner, middle, could lose the race
But connections of runner-up Stay Alert have lodged an appeal against the result, insisting the best horse did NOT win.
The big row centres around a flashpoint near the end of the Group 1 contest over 1m2f when Spencer’s Via Sistina hung right and hampered rival runner Rosscarbery.
That horse then bumped into the Hughie Morrison-trained Stay Alert, whose own progress was checked.
Spencer – who banged in 80-1 winner Khaadem at Royal Ascot last month – was banned for six days moments after the race as stewards judged his riding ‘careless’.
Morrison says ‘justice needs to be done’ – and his horse should get the win.
Confirming the appeal, he said: “We were going as fast as the other horse and weren’t given a fair crack at it.
“If it’s dangerous, they should lose the race.
“I wasn’t there but connections felt justice wasn’t done.
“There’s a lot at stake and I feel, as a rule, that when interference takes place a horse being stopped is never taken into account.
“If a car went from 40mph to 35mph you’d lose more than two lengths in 20m and Ronan (Whelan, jockey) felt his chance was taken away too.
“How can they say the best horse won?
“It’s been quoted to me by numerous people that it was a professional foul and, if justice is seen to be done, we’ll get it on appeal.”
The difference between first and second was a little over £100,000, meaning a six-figure swing is at stake.
Via Sistina’s trainer George Boughey was of the opinion his horse, a five-year-old mare, was simply better on the day.
He said: “She was very good and confirmed what we hoped.
“When the rain didn’t come it was in the balance whether she was going to start and huge credit to the owner Steve Hillen for making the call and wanting to run, because she will be better on slower ground.
“She’s come out of the race in great shape and I couldn’t be happier with her really.
“She showed a real turn of foot on ground that was possibly too fast for her.
“To go over there and beat them in one of their top fillies-only Group One races was a huge thrill.”
