Magnifisio survives protest in Winterbottom
Quality mare Magnifisio survived a protest to claim victory in today's $750,000 Crown Perth Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.
Magnifisio ($7.50) overcame a wide draw, running on from fifth on the turn to soar past the hot favourite Angelic Light ($2.80) at the 200m.
She held off the fast finishing Watermans Bay ($41) to score by a head.
But Watermans Bay's jockey, Steven Arnold, fired in a protest alleging interference from Magnifisio (Jason Brown) in the first 100m.
Arnold argued he lost more than a length when Brown crossed Magnifisio in the early stages.
But chief steward Brad Lewis was not convinced to overturn the result.
"We saw you (Arnold) got crowded but given where the incident occurred we could not be convinced to overturn the result," Lewis said.
Shining Knight ($14) ran third.
Angelic Light ($2.80) hit the lead in the straight but faded for fifth.
Moment Of Change ($4.80) led but also faded to finish sixth.
Trainer Jim Taylor thought his Winterbottom chances were gone when his stable star Barakey was ruled out with a virus.
Magnifisio's wide draw also hurt his confidence, but Brown's ride propelled the mare to a big win.
"I didn't think we could win from that barrier with all the good interstate horses drawn well," Taylor said.
"But it was just a great ride from Jason.
"To be able to come from that barrier and win is special."
Taylor said Magnifisio, a close relation to 2012 Winterbottom winner Barakey, is a chance to be set for interstate features next year.
"She could go over for a race like the Newmarket," Taylor said.
"She's a quality 1200m horse."
