Inter Dominion drama with protest upheld in $500,000 Group 1

During the week all the hype for tonight’s $500,000 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship was between King Of Swing and his stablemate Expensive Ego.

However, after the finish line of the 3009m feature at Menangle, it was all about Expensive Ego and Boncel Benjamin with connections of the latter firing in a protest.

Expensive Ego was the first horse past the post, however, impeded the run of Boncel Benjamin in the home straight who was second past the post with only a head separating the pair.

After a long deliberation in the Stewards’ Room, Harness Racing New South Wales Chairman of Stewards Clint Bentley stated: “It is our view at the point passing the 100m mark there was sufficient room for Boncel Benjamin . . . Mr Gallagher had to check his runner . . . we will be upholding the protest.”

Expensive Ego and driver David Moran were in front while Boncel Benjamin and driver Josh Gallagher were behind the leader.

Heading into the home straight, Expensive Ego had drifted up the track with Gallagher angling Boncel Benjamin through the gap along the pegs.

However, Expensive Ego came back down the track where Boncel Benjamin had to be checked and moved around the leader, flashing home to be beaten that narrow margin with the final two quarters clocked in 26.9 and 25.8 seconds.

PROTEST UPHELD! Boncel Benjamin is the winner of the TAB Inter Dominion Pacing Grand Final. pic.twitter.com/LuJfi5C4wS

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 11, 2021

Victorian owners Julie and Steven Duffy celebrate after Boncel Benjamin wins the #ID21 Pacing Championship Grand Final on protest! pic.twitter.com/PUJ7sZI85q

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) December 11, 2021

In the Stewards’ Room representing the connections of Boncel Benjamin were trainer Jason Grimson and Gallagher and the connections of Expensive Ego were trainer Belinda McCarthy, owner Jason Grice and Moran.

The placings were amended to Boncel Benjamin first, Expensive Ego second and Alta Orlando was third.

Watch the replay below:

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink