Favourite backers in the last at Rockhampton last Thursday were left scratching their heads when Tom Button trained Aussie Tycoon was seemingly disrupted upon starting, prompting the last start runner up to miss the jump by over 10 lengths.
The 4-year-old mare was a notable drifter in the betting, starting a clear $2.20 favourite before drifting out to $2.80 pre race. Punters were quick to point out from race footage that a barrier attendant may have still been trying to adjust Aussie Tycoon as she was one of the last ones to move forward, seemingly having a grip on the horse as the barrier stalls opened.
Aussie Tycoon worked hard early to catch up to the pack, rallying late to finish just 1.8L off 1st place Uncanny Reason. Coming off a good run of late, trainer Tom Button was clearly dissappointed with the outcome of the race for his runner.
“I am confused about the rule after Thursday.” Button said.
“The barrier attendant has clearly still a hold on the horse. It’s very hard to jump when being held!”
“Disappointing for owners who had there money on, to be given no chance through no fault of the horse”
With such an impressive run in a luckless turn of events for the mare, she will get a chance at redemption this Thursday at Rockhampton where she is nominated in a benchmark 65 over 1400m.
Have Your Say 🗣: Should the horse have been declared a non starter? Comment below.
