Date set for appeal against St Leger decision after a third postponement

The appeal against the decision to demote Haskoy to fourth from second in last month's Cazoo St Leger has been delayed for a third time, with the rescheduled hearing set to take place on November 15.

Trained by Ralph Beckett for Juddmonte Farms, Haskoy crossed the line two lengths behind winner Eldar Eldarov but was subsequently placed behind Giavellotto, who originally finished fourth, having been deemed by raceday stewards to have interfered with him.

As well as Haskoy losing her Classic placing, jockey Frankie Dettori was suspended for five days for careless riding, a ban that resulted in him missing the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile victory of Commissioning.

The St Leger won by Eldar Eldarov featured a dramatic finishCredit: Edward Whitaker

The initial hearing had been scheduled for October 20, with it then pushed back to this Friday, October 28. However, a further delay means it will be over two months since the St Leger finished before the hearing into the placings is heard.

Explaining the delay, a BHA spokesman said: "The hearing will take place on November 15. The reason this is the date is due to the availability of counsel."

Haskoy was supplemented for the St Leger by connections for £50,000, with the prize-money difference between finishing second and fourth being £126,860. In addition, the filly would have the Classic placing on her pedigree if the appeal is successful.

Beckett has previously succeeded in an appeal against a demotion in the St Leger as Simple Verse was awarded the race in 2015 having initially been placed behind Bondi Beach for causing interference on her way to winning the contest.

Beckett said: "I had no problem with the appeal being heard on October 28 and I do not have any problem with it being heard on November 15."

Botti, who trains Giavellotto for Scuderia La Tesa, had previously expressed his frustration at the delay, with the trainer needing to employ a solicitor to participate in the hearing.

He said on Wednesday: "The appeal has been pushed back to November 15, which is far from ideal as it would be good to have had an answer by now. There is no reason why it should be delayed any further."

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