Cheval De Vega lands dramatic Mt Barker Sprint victory for Meryl Hayley after post-race protest is upheld

Cheval De Vaga claimed a dramatic win in the $100,000 Mt Barker Sprint (1300m) after a protest was upheld against the first horse past the post at the Mt Barker Turf Club on Sunday. Meryl Hayley scored her biggest win as a trainer as a result of a protest lodged by connections of River Rubicon for interference at the 400m mark of the feature race. Jockey Brad Parnham, who rode third placegetter River Rubicon, alleged Kohli had caused interference to his mount at the 400m and stewards agreed when viewing race patrol footage. Kohli’s rider, Jessica Valenti, abruptly moved him out from two-wide to seven-deep when improving from eighth position near the home turn. She was not clear of River Rubicon and caused him to lose several lengths. Under racing rules, River Rubicon could not be placed ahead of Cheval De Vaga, who had not caused interference. After the amendment of placings, Cheval De Vaga ($5.60) was declared the winner, with River Rubicon ($4) second and Kohli ($8.10) third. Kohli had been first home by one length from pacemaker Cheval De Vaga and River Rubicon ran on strongly to finish ¾ length back. The result handed Hayley the biggest win of her career and the Perth-based trainer was rapt with the outcome despite the controversial nature of the race. “It was great to get the win. Obviously I feel really sorry for Rebecca Wallrodt but the degree of interference was quite high, so they elected to take the race off her,” she said. “This win is just awesome though. It’s really good. “He’s such a nice horse and we’re all just very happy. “We really liked his chances coming in today. Obviously he’s done a lot of his recent racing in the metro area and to drop him back to this sort of grade looked a nice option for him.” Winning hoop Laqdar Ramoly said he would have liked to win the race under different circumstances. “I feel really bad for the other jockey but at the end of the day, it’s the rules and we can’t go against it,” he said. “I think I would have been much happier if I would have won the race, but I’ll take it because a win is a win. “I have really good support. I have a great boss that supports me and I have Meryl Hayley — they put the confidence in me and it helps me to deliver the goods.” Chris Brown, the steward in charge of Mt Barker’s meeting, gave Valenti a 21-day suspension for careless riding. “Kohli was shifted out when not clear of River Rubicon at the 400m,” Brown said. “The interference by Kohli cost River Rubicon several lengths. But he finished less than two lengths behind Kohli. “In stewards’ view, River Rubicon would have beaten home Kohli had the interference not occurred. “Jessica Valenti continued allowing Kohli to shift out in the home straight, causing interference to another three horses.” Cheval De Vaga is likely to be set for the Pinjarra Classic next month and Bunbury Stakes, which will be run at Ascot in March.