Appeal against demotion possible after stewards' drama sees placings reversed

Sophie Smith hinted connections of Zlatan could appeal against their horse’s demotion in the 1m1f amateur jockeys’ handicap at Goodwood, which came after a long stewards' inquiry.

Smith thought she had her 11th win under rules when Zlatan finished a short head in front of Luna Magic, ridden by vastly experienced amateur Brodie Hampson.

However, after a lengthy stewards’ inquiry it was announced the placings had been revised, almost 25 minutes after the conclusion of the opening race with Luna Magic awarded the race.

Watch a replay of the amateur jockeys' handicap

Although a final decision will need to be made, Smith and connections were not happy with the outcome of the stewards’ inquiry.

The rider said: “The video shows we never kind of hit or interfered, we were both kind of going off on an angle. Sadly, the stewards didn’t see it that way.

“That’s the conclusion they’ve [the stewards’] come to. The parties I’m involved with don’t agree with that."

Brodie Hampson: 'I felt I would have won if we had both kept straight'Credit: Matthew Webb

On the prospect of an appeal, Smith added: “I will speak to Mr De Giles with the owners next to me and we think that might be a way forward, but we’ll have to confirm with Ed.”

Hampson was in no doubt Luna Magic lost momentum when she was taken off a straight line.

“I got taken so far across that I lost quite a few lengths," she said. "Her horse was intimidating my horse and she just lost momentum as soon as she was taken off a straight line. I felt I would have won if we had both kept straight, but we didn’t."

The stewards' report read: "The stewards considered that the interference had improved the placing of Zlatan in that it had drifted left-handed carrying Luna Magic notably off its intended line.

"In addition, it was felt that even whilst being carried off its line, Luna Magic was making up ground on Zlatan, and the distance lost in being carried off its line was more than the diminishing short
head by which the filly was beaten."

Smith was suspended for two days for careless riding for allowing her mount to drift left-handed without sufficient correction, causing Luna Magic to be intimidated off her intended line for several strides.

Toro strikes

A trip to the Breeders’ Cup is a possibility for Toro Strike after he broke the track record when winning the Group 3 Weatherbys Hamilton Supreme Stakes.

Toro Strike (Ryan Moore) pulls clear of Double Or Bubble to win the Supreme StakesCredit: Mark Cranham

Trained by Richard Fahey, the four-year-old was held up by Ryan Moore – who jetted back from Saratoga overnight after finishing second on Japan in the Sword Dancer Stakes – and came with a strong challenge to win going away by two lengths.

Alison Begley, racing manager to owners Al Shaqab Racing, said: “The key to him is quicker ground. Ryan confirmed that and his best performances have been on quicker ground. The Breeders’ Cup could easily be an option."

Better start

Slow starts had been his enemy but Atalanta’s Boy made the most of a good break to win the 6f handicap for the second season running.

Atalanta’s Boy is now five from five at Goodwood away from the big-field cavalry charge that is the Stewards’ Cup and his trainer David Menuisier was delighted some hard work with the stalls has paid off.

The trainer said: “He loves it here. He’s had problems in the stalls the last few times; we’ve been working hard on it and it has paid off."

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