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Friday 16 November 2018

Chelmsford Void Race Fiasco Leads to Meeting Abandoned

Looks like someone forgot to put a 50p in the electric meter.

Well, that's what happened to punters as Chelmsford fell into darkness. 

The 5:15 Extra Places At Sprinterstogo.co.uk Handicap over 7f.

Unlucky punters were left fuming when a power cut meant the race was void as Florencio, trained by Jamie Osborne, won the race. However, it was void. 

The remainder of the meeting abandoned.

However, ''winning'' trainer Jamie Osborne insisted Florenico, owned by globetrotting Melbourne 10 should have taken the prize. In fact, Osborne recorded the win on his phone, ridden by Nicole Currie.

The trainers said: ''I am annoyed. It's blatantly obvious to me and the racegoers watching just who finished first, second, third and fourth.'' 

"They probably could have limited the damage of this by allowing the result to stand but the stewards had no interest in seeing my film, and apparently the rule is that if the judge can't determine the first four home, then the race has to be void."

However, there were reports that some riders eased their mounts. While Luke Morris and P J McDonald reported their horses were spooked. 

The official inquiry into voiding the race stated: "The judge was interviewed. The judge explained that due to insufficient light he was not able to verify the full result. The stewards were unable to view the last two furlongs of the race and, taking into consideration the judge’s evidence, the stewards declared the race void."


There was some good fortune to connections if not punters when Osborne Tweeted that the racecourse had honoured the win prize money. 

"Just when you think you have seen it all in racing! It's lucky that Florencio, the winner, is owned by the Melbourne Ten, me and nine of my mates. "I am sure the boys will probably have another drink and celebrate like they've had a winner."

Asked about how Currie had seen things, Osborne added: "It would take more than a little darkness to frighten her."