Central Park spokesman Barry Stanton described Sunday night’s meeting, which saw all twelve favourites oblige as “a testament to the fairness and consistency of racing here.”
The biggest price winner on the night was 5-4 chance Bockos Alfie. Other prices: 11-10 (x2), evens (x3), 1-2 (x2), 1-3 (x3) and 1-4 for a 528-1 accumulator. Only one winner required the confirmation of the judge, Barry O’Sullivan’s short head winner Cronin.
Stanton continued: “We would obviously have major concerns if it had been a graded meeting, but they were 12 opens and for the form stood up
“I understand that the Bet365 representative claimed that the company lost half a million pounds, but I can’t see how. Two of our three bookies lost, understandably, though not significant amounts and the other one broke even.”
The meeting featured the two semis of the Cearnsport Springbok and as feared by Rab McNair in his column last week, his exciting young jumper King Nelson was disqualified for deliberate interference.
Rab had predicted a nightmare scenario whereby the ultra consistent Mane Mane would flash clear and Nelson would find himself chasing down the leader. It proved prophetic.
The second semi was won by Ricky Holloway’s Burgess Brandy in the slightly faster time of 29.47, though Mane Mane would certainly have gone quick than his 29.54 but for the interference.
Additionally, Piemans Bullet, who lost several lengths when having to check at the third bend, is drawn on the inside of Brandy in the decider.
