A loose horse caused chaos in the £500,000 Goodwood Cup after getting in the way in ‘the most important part of the race’ on Tuesday.
The 2m Group 1 was supposed to produce a rematch between Ascot Gold Cup first and second, Scandinavia and Trawlerman, the horse who trains in special goggles to protect his eyes from the sun. Yet there was drama from the outset as first Trawlerman anticipated the start to burst out of the gate half a length in front of the rest. Then Amiloc lost his rider Hector Crouch who, after a valiant effort to stay in the saddle, was dumped on the turf.
Interference in the Straight
The riderless Amiloc decided to race ahead of the field, with Trawlerman kept a safe distance back leading the rest of the field. But as soon as William Buick launched his bid for victory, Amiloc came right across the front of him, forcing the jockey to take evasive action to avoid a collision. With momentum lost, Scandinavia forged clear to win by eight and a half lengths.
Describing the interference afterwards, Buick said: “It’s significant. It’s hard to say how significant. He got in the way in the most important part of the race. It definitely had an effect.”
Trainer and Stewards' Comments
Trainer John Gosden said: “When you’ve been crossed like that and checked, he’s not the type to turn around and start quickening. We got the worst of it and we went from being a length and a half in front to a length and a half behind. That’s racing.”
The stewards report said: “Approximately 2 furlongs out, the riderless AMILOC edged right-handed towards the rail resulting in the rider of TRAWLERMAN (IRE) having to take a check for a number of strides when placed on the heels of AMILOC, but after viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved.”
After looking into the incidents at the start the stewards were satisfied that Amiloc was a runner “as the rider was mounted as the start was effected before AMILOC jumped left-handed, resulting in Crouch catching his leg on the starting stalls, causing him to become unbalanced and ultimately unseated shortly after the start.”
The report added: “TRAWLERMAN (IRE), drawn 8, anticipated the start and accelerated the gate at the same moment as the start had been effected, thereby enabling the gelding to break quickly. Being satisfied that it was not caused through a faulty action of the starting stalls, no further action was taken.”
Scandinavia’s jockey Ryan Moore said: “He couldn’t have done anymore than what he done today. I never asked him for everything.”
