RACING
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RACING NSW will look to provide further training for judges across the Southern District after the wrong horse was declared among the placegetters at Gundagai's TAB meeting on Sunday.
What was supposed to be an average maiden at Gundagai will now be remembered for the wrong reasons after a mistake was made in the placegetters.
Gundagai-Adelong Racing Club's judge put number two Aidan Anthony up as the fourth placegetter in the Gary Readford Memorial Maiden Handicap (1180m), when in fact number 12 Yeeha had finished fourth.
Number two Aidan Anthony actually finished 12 lengths off the pace in 11th place of the 12-horse field.
By the time the judges panel realised the mistake had been made, correct weight had already been given.
Stewards were able to amend the placings for prizemoney and results purposes but nothing could be done for first-four punters.
Southern District chairman of stewards John Davidson explained that Racing NSW will look to provide extra training and reaccreditation courses to ensure the mistake does not happen again.
"The judge has placed the wrong horse, it should have been number 12 instead of number two," Davidson said.
"Judges are meant to work with colours nut numbers, because that's when those mistakes can easily be made.
"I'm still waiting to speak to Sydney but we'll look at some additional training and reaccreditation for judges in the area.
"It's obviously a very important role."
The NSW TAB held $2594 on the four first pool on Sunday with Aidan Anthony, who was wrongfully placed fourth, a $28.90 chance, as opposed to Yeeha starting a $56.80 shot.
The first four paid $2533.60.
Davidson, who accepts full responsibility for the mistake, was quick to point out that punters deserve better.
"We were able to change the placings for the purpose of results, the prizemoney has gone to the right horse and all that sort of thing...it's just the poor old punter that it hurts the most," Davidson said.
"It was human error and these things do happen but punters expect a professional service so we've got to ensure these mistakes don't happen."
A public announcement was made on course at Gundagai immediately after the mistake was realised.