Although Gold Bullion (+1200) was first past the post, the gelding couldn't survive a protest lodged by connections of Kintyre (+240), with the result being overturned in the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon.
The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained galloper seemingly did enough to score, initially making every post a winner; however, after reviewing the footage, it was clear to see the interference caused to the eventual winner.
It was a daring ride in testing conditions by Jamie Kah, swooping along the inside running rail to squeeze between it and Gold Bullion, going down narrowly in the concluding stages.
Our Gold Hope (+550) was impressive attempting to make a run down the centre of the course, while the heavily backed favourite Tannhausser (+160) was given an impossible task after dragging back worse than mid-field under James McDonald.
Kintrye proved a fair victor in the end, picking up a much-deserved win after a consistent campaign throughout the autumn, finding the minor money in three of his four starts prior to Saturday.
Gary Portelli spoke to media after the protest had landed in their favour, suggesting Kintyre may now head to Brisbane for the winter carnival.
“I didn't realise watching it live that it was so tight there until we watched the head-on shot,” said Portelli.
“Jamie (Kah) said ‘I think he should have won'. So we said, let's watch it. When we saw that she took the rail the last 25m, the rules are you can't squeeze them up. So anyway, we got the money.
“We bought the half-brother to him at Easter. We paid $480,000-odd for him, he's by Pierata, a half-brother, so the mare is doing a great job.
“He's a gelding, he's well bred and he might go to Brisbane. We'll see how he pulls up.
“He has been so consistent. He hasn't run a bad race yet. Barrier one, finally, and he got every chance, good ride. It would have been tragic to see him get beaten.”
Jamie Kah spoke after the result and was happy with the decision to uphold the protest.
“My horse was going to go past the other horse and win the race,” said Kah.
“The margin is very small but I felt like my horse was going to go on and win easily.
“The interference has definitely cost me a good length, I think.”