The verdict: Trainer Matthew Dunn stunned after protest decision

Connections of Rothenburg were left stunned after their objection was dismissed following an explosive protest hearing at Doomben.

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Connections of Rothenburg were left stunned after their objection was dismissed following an explosive protest hearing at Doomben on Saturday.

Rothenburg’s rider Steph Thornton objected against Scout (Ryan Maloney) being declared the winner after she was squeezed out of a run at the 200m point.

During the hearing, Rothenburg’s trainer Matt Dunn said Maloney’s actions “bordered on foul riding” as Scout’s head was turned in as Thornton tried to establish her run.

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Trainer Matthew Dunn let fly in the stewards’ room at Doomben on Saturday. Picture: AAP

Waiting outside the room as stewards deliberated, Scout’s co-trainer Trent Edmonds hoped a slight shift out from the inside horse Jet A One would save them and his wish came true.

Stewards said the pressure from the inside pushed Scout’s rump out, which was the reason he had his head turned in and that contribution was enough for them to dismiss the objection.

Chief steward Peter Chadwick told Maloney after the hearing they felt his actions were not sinister but “there’s a fine line” and for him to be wary of not crossing it.

Thornton was shocked by the dismissed ruling after earlier telling stewards that “given clear daylight he clearly beats the winner”.

Maloney said Thornton had not established her run when the incident occurred, a claim countered by Dunn, who said she was fully entitled to it.

“We were lucky not to land on the deck,” Dunn said.

Scout (right) edged out Rothenburg in a tight finish at Doomben. Picture: Trackside Photography

Nick’s naughty again

Nick Keal’s successful return after a month off has been short-lived, with a suspension on Friday night at the Sunshine Coast followed by an improper riding charge at Doomben.

Keal had ridden three winners from his first five rides back from a weight-related suspension before being outed for 10 days on Friday.

Worse was to come on Saturday though, as stewards issued him with an improper riding charge after he appeared to steer his mount Advance Warning on to Les Tilley’s Romakash after the winning post of Race 4.

It followed an incident in the straight where Tilley was subsequently suspended for 11 meetings for what stewards deemed “mid to high-range” interference caused to Keal.

Keal pleaded guilty to the improper riding charge.

Nick Keal fell foul of stewards again on Saturday. Picture: AAP

“He (Tilley) and I have had a couple of run-ins and I’ve just had a brain snap and done something stupid,” he said.

Stewards later issued him with a one-month suspension, meaning he will be out from next Sunday to January 25, pending any appeals.

Keal called on experienced jockey Jim Byrne to represent him during the hearing.

“This sort of incident is hugely frowned upon … but I don’t believe any jockey deliberately sets out to hurt another jockey,” Byrne said. “Nick is just coming back, he got another suspension (on Friday) and things are snowballing a bit.”

Stewards told Keal the suspension could have been two months or longer, but because of his guilty plea and the fact he is an apprentice, one month was appropriate.

Timing issue

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys says he is keen to press the issue of race times in the New Year, saying at the moment they are being done “to assist Adelaide and Melbourne”.

“Maybe NSW and Queensland need to look at the times again to make it more appetising for us,” he said.

The racing clock continues to be a source of frustration for Queensland administrators and punters, with the Saturday metro meeting usually squeezed in the 15 minute slot between Sydney and Melbourne.

V’landys reiterated his comments from 12 months ago that he is open to Queensland metropolitan meetings joining Sydney on free-to-air television on Saturdays.

Sydney has stretched out to 22 Saturdays a year on free-to-air from only a handful a few years ago. Part of the offer previously suggested was for NSW provincials to have less air time, allowing for better coverage of Queensland.

Of course, everything hinges on what happens with Queensland’s broadcast negotiations, which are due to be completed by June 30.

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys is keen to look at the times between races in NSW and Queensland. Picture: AAP

Life’s a Snitch at times

The weight of social media expectation proved a shade too much for Snitch, who continued a miserable day for favourite backers when he went under in the seventh.

Social media star Craig Cavanough, who works in the stables of Tony Gollan, shot to prominence last week after “declaring” a two-horse stable all up at Kilcoy.

Radio TAB’s Steve Hewlett quickly had Cavanough on air.

“Cav” backed it up on Wednesday when nominating $2.50 pop Say Haya as the banker, forcing his appearance on Gollan’s weekly preview The Final Gallop.

His all-up this week was The Move at Caloundra on Friday night (it won) into Snitch, who was backed into an odds-on quote, but became the fifth favourite in six races to bite the dust.

Five of the nine races were won by double-figure chances.

Future proof

The response to the new two-year-old Future Champions Series, which comprises the Champagne, Sires and JJ Atkins Stakes has been very strong, with 1750 nominations received.

The final two legs are worth $1million each and trainers sent through a flood of nominations on Friday.

Chris Waller, who has launched the careers of many of his stars in Queensland over the past decade, headed the trainers list with 122 nominations. Godolphin had in excess of 80.

Late nominations will remain open until this Friday.