Bondi Beach has lost his St Leger win but cannot be re-handicapped for the Melbourne Cup.
The British Horse Racing Authority has reversed the stewards’ decision to demote the Ralph Beckett-trained Simple Verse to second for interference in the Group One race at Doncaster.
The margin between Simple Verse and Bondi Beach was a head.
Bondi Beach will still carry 52.5kg in the Melbourne Cup with Racing Victoria’s chief handicapper Greg Carpenter saying his international rating of 117 has already been established.
“The rules don’t allow for a change so it is redundant,” Carpenter said.
“The international handicappers have him on 117 and it was a close finish in the St Leger.
“Bondi Beach was also beaten in a close finish by Order Of St George so his rating was well-established at 117. It wasn’t a one-off.”
Bondi Beach, who finished a short head second to Order Of St George in the Curragh Cup in June, is one of five horses in quarantine at Coolmore’s Ballydoyle ahead of the Melbourne spring carnival.
“As a rule we don’t like to win or lose races in an inquiry. The stewards do a very good and difficult job. We congratulate Sheikh Fahad and his team on their Classic success,” a Coolmore statement said.
Prominent Australian owner Lloyd Williams has bought shares in Bondi Beach, Order Of St George and Kingfisher.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien says Bondi Beach is likely to come to Australia.
“I think Bondi Beach will go to Melbourne for the Melbourne Cup now, as he seems in good form since Doncaster,” O’Brien said.
