Stewards asked top jockey Chris Munce to explain his ride after an early three-way speed battle in the Ormiston College Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.
Munce’s mount Fire Within ($6), favourite Executed ($2.70) and second pick Charlotte Grace ($4.80) went stride for stride to the 550m.
Fire Within and Charlotte Grace dropped out but Executed was run down in the final 50m to finish a short neck behind Hijack Hussy ($17).
Chairman of stewards Allan Reardon asked Munce to explain why he had continued to go forward when a there appeared to be room to ease behind Executed and Charlotte Grace.
“Fire Within was fired up with the blinkers for the first time and when I thought they would ease they actually kicked up again.”
“When I tried to come back you could see Fire Within’s head coming up and he wanted to over-race.”
Stewards noted Munce’s explanation.
Trainer Tony Gollan was in Sydney to saddle up Temple Of Boom in the Galaxy but stable foreman Kiaarn Holland said Hijack Hussy’s win was not a shock.
“She had no luck last start when fourth and should have run second,” Holland said.
“She has shown us plenty on the track and it was just a matter of race experience.
“I think the fast early pace and the heavy track also suited her.”
Winning jockey Glen Colless said Hijack Hussy was suited by the fast pace in the early stages.
It was Gollan’s 36th win for the season, putting him two in front of arch rival Matt Dunn.
