By Adrian DunnTVNWednesday, June 12, 2013 – 5:11 PM
Angela's Dream recorded her first city win in today’s Le Pine Funeral Handicap at Sportingbet Park.
John Salanitri-trained Bitola was first past the post, three-quarters of a length clear of Angela’s Dream, but apprentice Harry Coffey fired in a successful protest.
Coffey alleged that Katelyn Mallyon, riding Bitola, allowed her horse to continually shift ground, which forced him to stop riding three times.
He said that Angela’s Dream lost her momentum and each time he stopped riding it cost him a half length.
Coffey said Angela’s Dream made “significant ground” when he finally gained clear running.
Mallyon disputed Coffey’s claim that he had to stop riding three times and said Angela’s Dream had her chance to beat Bitola if she had been good enough.
Racing Victoria stewards, after a 10-minute deliberation, agreed with Coffey that he had been denied his chance to win.
Heidi Lester, who chaired the meeting, said Coffey had to restrain Angela’s Dream after passing the 200 metres to avoid the heels of Bitola.
Lester said Bitola continued to take Angela’s Dream running and that she made up considerable ground and in the belief of stewards would have won, but for the interference.
https://belesprit09.wordpress.com/2013/06/12/angelas-dream-comes-true-in-the-stewards-room-winning-the-lengthy-protest/