Sunday's $84,000 Aldebaran Park Australasian Breeders Crown final for two year old colt and gelding trotters at Tabcorp Park Melton looked a two horse war on paper and that's how it turned out but it wasn't the two horses everybody thought would fight out the finish.
Conon Bridge from the Paul Nairn barn was a warm favourite after drawing barrier one and his main danger was expected to be Sundons Courage from the Chris Angove barn who was drawn on Conon Bridge's back at one on the second line.
One driver who thought he might be able to upset those predictions was Todd MacFarlane, the trainer driver of Cyclone Chief who had drawn in close at barrier four.
Speaking to Harnesslink pre race, Todd thought that Sundons Courage lack of early speed presented an opportunity for him to get across and trail Conon Bridge.
And that is exactly how it turned out.
After a false start at the first attempt, Conon Bridge burned off the gate at the second attempt leaving a big gap for Cyclone Chief to slot into with Sundons Courage settling three back on the inner.
Conon Bridge's driver Bob Butt was in no great hurry in front and with no mid race pressure he had a pretty soft run in front.
Passing the 800 metres Bob upped the tempo with a quarter down the back in 29,8 which had most of the field battling before the turn.
Cyclone Chief had dropped off a length or two but was still close enough on the corner to be a threat.
Half way up the straight Conon Bridge looked home but late in the piece Cyclone Chief surged up on the inner and injected real excitement into the finish.
At which point Conon Bridge ducked sideways and inconveniced Cyclone Chief.
No sooner had Conon Bridge being declared the winner, than the siren went with Todd alleging the interference had cost him the win.
Sitting in on the enquiry, the point the stewards returned to several times was the fact that Todd, even though he had been checked, had not stopped driving Cyclone Chief over the final stages.
After a short adjournment, the stewards came back with a finding that while Cyclone Chief had been checked, Todd hadn't stopped driving the horse over the final stages and the close proximity to the finish line led them to dismiss the objection.
They did however fine Bob Butt $250 for failing to correct Conon Bridge immediately when he ducked in.
Bob Butt was relieved but confident the right decision had been made.
" Conon Bridge did shift down the track but I didn't believe he had done enough to lose the race."
" I think the fact Todd never stopped driving his horse helped my case," Bob said.
Todd Macfarlane was dumbfounded by the decision.
" I am in no doubt that if I hadn't been checked I would have won the race."'
" Bob's horse has gone super and I have no complaints with anything he said in the room.
" The stewards on the other hand seem to have pre-determined the outcome before the hearing had even been held."
"Their performance has left a real sour taste in my mouth" Todd said.
In the wash up Bob Butt should be congratulated for adding a Group 1 winning drive to his resume and kudos to Todd MacFarlane for taking the decision so professionally in the room.
Harnesslink Media