A plea for consistency

Posted by Alex Livie on 02/05/2010

Henry Cecil had a 25th Classic in his pocket, but before the famous flag could be flown over Warren Place the 1000 Guineas was ripped from his grasp by the Newmarket stewards.

Jacqueline Quest scored by a nose from Special Duty, after the two had duelled throughout the final furlong, but the finish caught the attention of the stewards as Jacqueline Quest drifted to her right, taking Special Duty with her, and Tom Queally was guilty of not pulling his whip through to his right hand.

The stewards took the view that the result had been affected by the actions of Jacqueline Quest and took the decision to reverse the placings. It was the right decision, as the margin had been so slight it was almost certain that Special Duty had been hampered, and it should not matter whether it was a Group One race at the headquarters of racing or a selling race at Folkestone on a Tuesday afternoon.

But that is where the problem lies as there have been far worse incidents that have occurred in the past that have gone unpunished. The British Horseracing Authority are attempting to boost the image of racing with an initiative called ‘Racing For Change’. That’s all well and good, but there is no possible way that the image of racing can be improved if the people that matter, the paying customers, have no faith in the system.

The majority of backers of the two horses will have gone away from the 1000 Guineas fairly happy, as Special Duty was a well backed 9/2 favourite whereas Jacqueline Quest was an unconsidered 66/1 shot. But there will be those who are aware that more serious breaches of the rules go on day in, day out that are not punished.

Cecil is a master of his art and will take the decision with good grace, but there may not be good grace in the future if one of his horses is carried across the track in a selling race at Folkestone on a Tuesday afternoon and is not awarded the race.

All we can ask for is consistency. But will we get it?

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