October
FebruarySecond not best
The racing industry should be bathing in some sort of reflected glory and celebrating the success of Gerald Murnane, whose racing memoir Something for the Pain won the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award 2016 for non-fiction.
It is an exhilarating recollection of a life consumed by the racetrack, its saints and sinners and Murnane’s connections and obsessions.
Without doubt, it is a must-read for anyone whose memory goes back further than the first leg of today’s daily double. But be forewarned — if you’re a fan of the late Bert Bryant, strap yourself into the chair as you read.
Murnane’s criticism of racing includes the perennial wail of the astute punter relating to the upholding of the third-against-first protest.
Check out rules AR 136 [2] and AR168. At present, if that protest is upheld, second goes to first, third to second and “first” to third.
The problem with that is that second goes to first even though not involved in the interference. Logically, had the interference not occurred, it could not have finished in front of the “winner”.
If the stewards have seen a problem where the second-placed horse was disadvantaged, they have the power to throw in a protest on its behalf.
A simple answer: if upheld, promote the third horse above the “winner”, relegate the “winner” to second and move the “second” horse to third.
Admittedly it happens rarely, although the scene played out in race one at Kyneton on Saturday January 30 — protest dismissed.
As homage to Murnane’s literary achievement, Winning Post and Murnane’s “discerning readers” must lobby to redraft the rule. The spoils must not go to the undeserving second placegetter.
Wendouree (Vic)