The withdrawal of La Pittura from Saturday's Blandford Bloodstock 25th Anniversary EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Newmarket has raised serious questions about betting integrity. The filly, trained by Andrew Balding, was scratched from the 4.15pm contest after her saddle was removed during the parade, prompting concerns about suspicious market activity.
Unusual pre-race events
La Pittura had finished last of four on her debut at Ascot three weeks earlier, behind subsequent Rockfel Stakes winner Pensando A Te. As she turned onto the racecourse to canter to post, jockey Oisín Murphy dismounted, sensing something was wrong. Racing TV's pictures showed her saddle had been removed, and three and a half minutes later she was officially withdrawn.
Despite her poor form and the obvious signs that she would not run, La Pittura's odds shortened from 9-2 to 9-4 before drifting to 100-30. The shorter a horse's odds when it is scratched, the greater the Rule 4 deduction from punters' winnings. This has led to speculation that money was placed in the betting ring, meaning backers of the eventual winner Queen Of The Gulf forfeited 20p in the pound.
Concerns for the sport
The incident has been described as a terrible look for racing, potentially driving bettors to other options. Comparisons were made to a game of find the lady or a coconut shy.
Longchamp going update
Looking ahead to next Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the last running of Europe's middle-distance championship restricted to horses that can contribute to the thoroughbred gene pool, attention has turned to the going at Longchamp. From next year, geldings will be allowed to take part, a move criticised as giving them an unfair advantage.
Longchamp is due to see its first rainfall since September 8 today, with more expected on Wednesday. Yet clerk of the course Charles de Cordon anticipates 'good to soft' going for Sunday.
Mullins double and charity walk
At Listowel last week, two horses named Love Me Tender won for Willie Mullins. A four-year-old of that name won a maiden hurdle at 4-9 on Wednesday, before the five-year-old Love Me Tender landed a beginners' chase the following afternoon. The pair are distinguished only by their breeding suffixes - Love Me Tender (GER) and Love Me Tender (FR).
Meanwhile, John Hunt, his daughter Amy and her partner Gareth Jones completed their 120-mile walk in aid of the Hunt Family Fund charity yesterday. Donations can still be made by searching 'Hunt Family Fund' on JustGiving.
