Melbourne Cup runner-up Marmelo (Duke Of Marmalade-Capriolla, by In The Wings) was denied a victory in the Gr2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil (2800m) at Paris Longchamp on Sunday, after stewards dismissed a protest lodged against the eventual winner Way To Paris.
Marmelo, one of six runners in the field, was victorious in the same race last year, and lined up as favourite on Sunday.
Watch the race – the interference is around the 400m:
Trainer Hughie Morrison was forthcoming with his disappointment at the outcome, telling Jour de Galop that; “The first thing Ryan Moore said when he got off the horse was that he was jostled … It probably cost us half a length or a length. I do not quite understand the decision of the commissioners, we are very disappointed.”
Way To Paris’ jockey Cristian Demuro was given a 2 day suspension for shifting off the rail 2 furlongs out, pushing Call The Wind into the path of Marmelo who was forced sideways and appeared to lose a plate from the contact, calling into question the decision of the stewards considering the tiny winning margin (a nose).
According to racing.com, Marmelo – who has won twice at Gr2 level – is expected to have his next start in the Gr2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m) at Deauville on August 18, then perhaps the Gr1 Comer Group International Irish St Leger (2816m) in September, before making the trip to Australia for another tilt at the Melbourne Cup.
- www.breedingracing.com
