'I don't see how a judge can call a winner' - owner disputes Tramore photo

An objection has been lodged against the outcome of a photo-finish from Tramore last Saturday, with connections of the second-placed runner citing inconclusive photographic evidence from the image displayed post-race.

Getaway Queen, trained by Ken Budds, was deemed by the judge to have won the 1m4f handicap by a nose at the expense of the Denis Hogan-trained Dream Point, with the outcome of the tight finish taking just shy of four minutes to be announced from when the runners crossed the line.

Watch the close finish to the 1m4f handicap at Tramore

However, the runner-up's owner James McAuley is seeking clarity on the deciding picture, which appears to show a narrow gap between both horses' noses and the white finishing line drawn on the still.

As an appeal will not be heard until at least next week, Dream Point will have to carry a winner's penalty of 6lb when lining up at Killarney on Wednesday, as she has been technically deemed the winner of the race along with Getaway Queen.

McAuley, who earlier this month suffered a cruel blow when his star sprinter Sceptical suffered a fatal gallops fall, explained: "We're definitely not saying that the other horse [Getaway Queen] didn't win or that we won, but we've requested a copy of the official photo that went up on Racing TV after the race.

"On that picture, it seems that no horse hits the line. If no horse hits the actual line and I can't call a winner, I don't see how a judge can call a winner either. With it being a fine margin, we're happy to roll the dice and see what happens."

Dream Point: declared to run under 6lb penalty at Killarney on WednesdayCredit: Racing TV/Horse Racing Ireland

He added: "I've checked it with Denis and his team, they're of the same opinion. You can clearly see green between the line and both horses' noses."

The outcome of the objection could impact Dream Point's future value in the breeding shed, having previously recorded just one success in a Ballinrobe claimer for Andrew McNamara last July.

"She's fairly well bred and if it was a gelding you might just have left it be, but we thought we'd look into it," he said.

"We're certainly not saying it wasn't the right result called, but if that's the official photo then I don't see how a winner could be called."

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