Judge errs, Calibrator 'promoted'

KUALA LUMPUR,  14 October 2003

CALIBRATOR has been promoted from third to second after the Judge at the Selangor Turf Club admitted he had incorrectly declared GOOD KID as the second place-getter in Race 1 (Class 5, Div 6 - 1,200m) at Sungei Besi here on 5 October 2003.

The Judge, after reviewing the photo finish, has now declared CALIBRATOR as the second placed horse.

The Racing Stewards, upon receiving a report from the Judge, examined the photo finish and concurred with the findings and have amended the placings as follows:

1st - CELEBRITY STALKER
2nd - CALIBRATOR
3rd - GOOD KID
4th - BIBI KNOWS BABA

Meanwhile, racing fans all over the country are astonished that with all the sophisticated equipment available, such a mistake could occur. The margin separating the second and third horses was given as a short head, and not a nose which is the narrowest of margins.

The last mistake made by a Judge (at least known to this writer) was some 30 years ago at Bukit Timah. Then, the Judge declared the fourth horse past the post third. The error was not corrected.