Much-travelled Gosford sprinter Timeless Prince has claimed his first stakes success, winning the race in the stewards’ room.
In a three-way finish to Sunday’s $100,000 Listed Sunshine Coast Cup (1400m), Pillar of Creation ($7) crossed the line just ahead of Timeless Prince ($4) and Mischievous Devil ($21).
Paul Hammersley, who rode Timeless Prince, did not protest but stewards lodged an objection after they noted Pillar of Creation had moved out in the straight and brushed with the tiring Sambucca Shot who then touched Timeless Prince.
Pillar of Creation’s trainer Tony Sears and jockey Anthony Allen argued the interference had not been great enough to justify changing the result.
After a lengthy hearing the stewards upheld their own protest finding Pillar of Creation caused the interference to Timeless Prince and the ground lost was more than the winning margin of a short half head.
Sears said he was naturally disappointed.
“It is a bit tough when their jockey couldn’t see a reason to protest and we still lose. But there is no use complaining,” Sears said.
Timeless Prince has travelled along the east coast and campaigned in Melbourne during the spring and Sydney during the summer.
Trainer Tony Newing decided Timeless Prince would be well placed in Queensland in the late summer and his confidence grew when the track was rated a heavy 10.
Timeless Prince had won two of his previous starts on a heavy track and finished second in the other.
The protest result continued a run of bad luck for Pillar of Creation since he came to Queensland last year.
He was placed in the Listed Weetwood Handicap and the Listed Glasshouse Mountain Sprint during the winter carnival.
“He has also been unlucky in several other races as well,” a dejected Sears said.
