Hellsing gains Big Dance win courtesy of Gringotts’ protest

A drama-filled Big Dance was turned on its head after an upheld protest, souring jockey Chad Schofield’s stunning run of big-race wins this spring and denying Formal Display another stakes victory.

But the stewards’ decision wasn’t all bad news for Formal Display’s trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald, with the first horse across the line relegated to fourth after jockey Nash Rawiller successfully protested against Schofield.

Runner-up Hellsing, also trained by the Archibalds, was promoted to first, with Matias gaining second and Gringotts elevated to third upon Alan Brown Stakes winner Formal Display’s relegation to fourth.

Racing NSW chief steward Tom Moxon said in the protest hearing that Schofield on Formal Display crowded Gringotts, causing the horse to lose at least two lengths at a vital part of the race.

Stewards found that Formal Display took Gringotts’ rightful running and had that not occurred “we say this would have likely resulted in Gringotts obtaining clear running soon after straightening and then an unimpeded run to the end of the race”.

“Having regard to the incident and the ground lost and how the horse did then close the race off, the stewards can be comfortably satisfied that had that interference between the 600 metres and 500 metres not occurred, that Gringotts would have finished in advance of Formal Display and therefor we uphold the protest,” Moxon said.

Tommy Sherry rode eventual winner Hellsing who started at $26 after finishing second last in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap at his previous start.

“The funny thing is with the horse, third-up every prep he fires. He had two ordinary runs last preparation, then he won at Randwick and he went on to win the Scone Cup,” Sherry said.

“I thought he’d had a similar preparation. He ran well first-up, went to the Toorak – he didn’t have a great run. He was three-deep the trip in a good Toorak – and I thought he was spot-on today and the team was happy with him. He quickened to win the race, and Chad on Formal Display, being held up he probably had a better sprint than me late.”

Schofield won The Everest on Tempted and last Saturday’s $10 million Golden Eagle on Skyhook.