Brooke Richardson had to survive a heated protest hearing before she could celebrate an extension on her apprenticeship with a win at Doomben on Wednesday.
In an all-apprentice finish, Richardson’s mount Elusive Storm ($6) scored by a short head to Kentucky Woman with a long head to Bo Rossa in the Gallopers $1 Membership Handicap.
However, Anthony Allen, who rode Kentucky Woman, and Sam Payne on Bo Rossa, fired in protests claiming Elusive Storm had moved in over the final 100m and caused interference to their mounts.
Elusive Storm’s trainer Brian Smith reacted angrily to the protest claims.
“In Sam Payne’s case there was no way my horse came out three horses. And Anthony Allen had his chance,” Smith said.
“Plus the incident was a lot closer to the line than they are claiming.”
Richardson, who got a year’s extension on her apprenticeship this week, is apprenticed to Smith who believes she has the makings of a top jockey.
Allen, who is Richardson’s boyfriend, had one win out of the protest.
“He wouldn’t have got any dinner if it had been upheld,” Richardson joked after the decision.
Meanwhile, one-time barrier rogue Hurricane Cass ($2.80) Gatton trainer Sel Andrew a rare metropolitan win in the Sequalo @ Lyndhurst Maiden Handicap (1030m).
“That’s how she got her name Hurricane. She was the worst horse at the barrier I have had in my long career,” Andrew said.
It completed a big week for Andrew who won the Dalby Newmarket with Tornadoes on Saturday.
