The 1800m Myer Spring Fashion Stakes has been won by Turf Express after a dispute from Mark Kavanagh and his jockey Michael Rodd when original winner Viking Hero brushed their horse in the final stages of the race.
In the final 200m, Viking Hero bumped Kavanagh’s three year old King Diamond causing the gelding to move into the rail.
With Damien Oliver on the inside of Rodd, he was forced to pull his horse back, losing his lead position to prevent Oliver running into the rail.
Kavanagh protested the final results which would have given Viking Hero the winning place followed by race favourite Turf Express and King Diamond as third.
Racing Victoria Chief Steward Terry Bailey upheld the protest resulting in Turf Express winning, followed by King Diamond and Viking Hero relegated to third.
The race started out slow with no jockeys eager to push their horses into the lead.
Don Jose led, followed by Za Bullet, Viking Hero and Turf Express and with 1100m to go Don Jose led by 3-4 lengths.
Turf Express started to push up at the 400m mark and Don Jose was tackled by Viking Hero in the last 200m which ended in a photo finish between the final three placegetters.
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