HARRY REDKNAPP is at the centre of a photo-finish controversy – after the camera used to decide the winner mysteriously broke down just as the horses crossed the line.
Legendary football manager Redknapp is co-owner of four-year-old gelding Mikimoto.
The horse was a rapid finisher in the 2m5f novices' hurdle race at Warwick on Monday.
Challenging all the way to the line, Mikimoto engaged in a thrilling head-bobber with Track And Trace.
The finish was way too close to call with the naked eye – with matters complicated by the fact the TV camera was not bang on the finish line.
Another, specific, photo-finish camera is situated flush on the line to call the winner.
But on this occasion it stopped working just as the two horses finished at 32mph.
It appeared the only way to judge the winner was from using the grainy snap generated from the TV footage.
That is of a much lesser quality than the HD camera used to judge the tighest of margins, which can come down to a matter of centimetres.
Track And Trace was called the winner but Mikimoto's trainer Martin Keighley is not so sure.
Most read in Horse Racing
FIVER FLUTTER
Beverley runner was brilliant at a price last time and looks poised to strike
TEMPLEGATE’S TIPS
My NAP looks certain to get off the mark under William Buick
‘WORST NIGHTMARE’
Owners heartbroken as beloved horse dies hours after winning biggest race
LOOK OUT
Punters ask ‘what has been unleashed?’ as ‘mini-Frankel’ wins £500,000 on debut
He said jockey Sean Bowen, who was in the saddle, is adamant they should appeal.
Keighley also said he would speak to Redknapp and fellow co-owner Karen Salters about raising an objection.
OFFERS OF THE DAY
Tote: Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
Virgin Bet: Bet £10 Get £20 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Horse Racing Bets – CLAIM HERE
Tote: New customers online only. Place your first bet on racing pools for a minimum of £5 and win or lose you will receive £20 Tote Credit. £20 Tote Credit rewarded as £10 redeemable against racing bets only and £10 redeemable against UK and Irish placepot bets only. Tote Credit cannot be withdrawn, exchanged, or substituted and expires after 7 days. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the bet-slip. Ten to Follow, virtual and football bets do not qualify. Totewin will be the qualifying bet when a Totewin and a Toteplace bet are struck at the same time. New UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org
Virgin Bet: New members. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. 2 non-withdrawable £10 Free Bet Tokens: accept in 7 days, valid for 7 days from acceptance (ex. E/Ws & Multiples), stakes not returned. Click here for Rules & Exclusions. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org 18+ begambleaware.org
Betfair: New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: 18+NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 3 X £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ONLY REDEEMABLE ON HORSE RACING. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+ Begambleaware.org
The trainer said: "I think it's quite harsh, they've got no evidence of the line.
"They're just going from a line on the ground that's been made, that's not good enough
"The fair decision would have been a dead-heat
"The freeze-frame from a camera they showed me to make the decision is not good enough.
"Sean thinks we should appeal. There's no clarity, a fair decision was a dead-heat but without that proper photo I just think it's unfair."
Attempting to explain how the crucial bit of kit failed at just the wrong time, the stewards' report read: "The stewards held an enquiry to consider why the photo-finish cameras had failed in the first race.
"They interviewed the judge and the photo-finish operator, who explained that having triggered the photo-finish it initially began to record, before failing as the horses crossed the line.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
YOU SEE ME ROLLING
Mum 'hides' rollers from airport staff to hit Benidorm with 'huge' hair
STAR'S SPLIT
TV bosses hope Christine McGuinness will open up on marriage split on new show
"He added that the equipment was re-tested before the start of race two.
"Having heard their evidence, the stewards ordered a report to be forwarded to the British Horseracing Authority."
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
Source: Read Full Article
