I had thought that if the 3rd vs 1st protest was upheld, then the 3rd horse would be declared the winner, so I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome of the protest, as I had backed Turf Express, the declared winner after the protest was upheld.

In watching the race live, I thought Zahra should have done more to control Viking Hero from hindering King Diamond's run. If Zahra had straightened Viking Hero up causing it to lose a step or two in momentum, and had Rodd been able to swing the whip freely and not have to worry about squeezing the inside runner, I think Diamond King would have been the winner.

Having been on the losing end of a few upheld protests, I think this is the first protest that's gone in my favour for at least the last couple of years. As I said, a pleasant surprise for me, but I'm sure there's quite a few punters who feel hard done by from the Myer Spring Fashion Stakes outcome. I know I'm still bitter about the 2006 Bill Stutt Stakes where Craig Williams had his 2nd vs 1st protest upheld even though Magic Jet didn't even touch Churchill Downs.

In the end I guess it's a bit like cricket umpires. The stewards don't always see things how you do, but in the end it probably balances out and is a wash, and everyone will feel like the decisions have gone equally for and against them over a period of time.

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...time held me green and dying, though I sang in my chains like the sea. - Dylan Thomas