G1 barrier draw stuff up prompts redraw

Racing Victoria has advised that an electronic re-draw of the barriers for this Saturday’s Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes will be undertaken at approximately 4.30pm this afternoon by RV Racing Operations in accordance with the standard barrier draw process.

Having considered a report from RV Chairman of Stewards, Robert Cram, regarding the conduct of this morning’s manual barrier draw at Flemington Racecourse, RV Executive General Manager – Integrity Services, Jamie Stier, has ordered an electronic re-draw of all barriers.

The manual barrier draw for the 16 starters and four emergencies was conducted without barrier 14 within the barrel and thus available to all horses.

The barriers were returned to the barrel and a further draw was conducted for the remaining horse only, that being Yearning. A review of that draw has established an error in that process.

Mr Stier has thus made the decision to order an electronic re-draw in light of human error with the manual barrier draws in the interests of ensuring a level playing field for all connections.

Bookmakers are requested to suspend betting on the TAB Empire Rose until the electronic re-draw has been conducted and the barriers re-published by RV.