More interference drama but Mawj survives stewards' inquiry after Group 2 drift

Friday: Newmarket

Another two-year-old Group race featured interference and a stewards' inquiry at Newmarket on Friday, but Mawj kept the race from runner-up Lezoo.

Mawj passed the post first in the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes, half a length clear of Lezoo.

But the 4-1 winner, ridden by Ray Dawson, drifted in the latter stages and hampered Frankie Dettori's mount, which started 15-8 favourite.

A stewards' inquiry was called but the placings were not changed.

Dawson said: "There was interference and I was unaware Frankie was there until the last furlong, which was a little bit late.

"I was suspended for three days and that's fair enough – we did drift across and you have to be punished for that."

Mawj (blue silks) drifts to her left, impeding Lezoo and Frankie Dettori (far right), on FridayCredit: ITV Racing

Outlining the incident in the inquiry itself, as shown on Racing TV, Dawson said: "I don't know if it is the crowd or what it is but she's slowly started to come over and she's touched Frankie.

"When I've touched Frankie, she's got a bit unbalanced as well. There is contact obviously but as Mr Dettori said, he didn't have to stop riding.

"Looking at the replay, I probably could have been a little bit quicker to react to it, maybe. But he won going away on the line."

It was the latest high-profile instance of a result standing despite interference taking place.

Most notably Paul Hanagan was banned for ten days after The Ridler interfered with several rivals in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot but his mount was allowed to keep the race, although an appeal has been lodged with a hearing pending.

Dawson himself was banned for eight days for careless riding after winning the Bronte Cup on Believe In Love at York in May but his mount was allowed to keep the race, a verdict which was upheld on appeal.

2.25 Newmarket: full result and race replay

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