Investigation launched into Hobart Cup barrier botch up

Tasracing has requested an investigation by the newly appointed Tasmanian Racing Integrity Commissioner after Sunday’s Group 3 Hobart Cup was run short of its advertised distance.

The state’s governing body issued an industry notice acknowledging that the barriers were not positioned correctly within the starting chute, prompting multiple inquiries into the error.

Tasracing confirmed the race was conducted “marginally short” of the listed 2400 metres, although the exact discrepancy was not disclosed. It is understood the distance was approximately 40 metres less than scheduled.

The issue was not referenced in the official stewards’ report.

Attention was drawn to the race after winner Blonde Star broke the track record on a Soft 5 surface, stopping the clock at 2:29.67, more than half a second faster than the previous benchmark set when the race returned to 2400 metres in 2014.

The locally trained stayer narrowly defeated Ziryab in a photo finish, with fast-finishing Distrustful Award less than a quarter of a length away in third.

Investigations are now underway to determine how the starting position error occurred and to review the circumstances surrounding the feature staying event.