Philracom investigates possible Gold Cup infractions

The Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) is looking into possible infractions committed in the 49th Presidential Gold Cup last Sunday, and the governing body could end up changing the order of finish of the country’s richest race ever.

The inquiry comes at the heels of protests filed by racehorse owner Sandy Javier and Super Swerte rider JB Guce against winner Sky Shot and coupled entry Boss Emong and their respective jockeys for foul riding. If the protest is upheld, it could change the result of the P10-million, 2,000-meter race at Metro Manila Turk Club in Malvar, Batangas.

Javier, in a letter to Philracom chair Reli de Leon, claimed that Sky Shot and Boss Emong, who ran as coupled entries, “connived and deliberately impeded the running” of his horse Super Swerte, who finished a fighting third behind Sky Shot under Jonathan Hernandez and hard-finishing long shot Nuclear Bomb.

De Leon, meanwhile, told the Inquirer over the phone on Tuesday afternoon that he has already assembled his board to look into the matter and said that the body will have no qualms changing the result of the race if the protest has merit.

“We are actually reviewing the race and we hope to come up with a decision soon,” said De Leon, also a former racehorse owner.

This marks the first time in modern history that such a protest has been filed in such a big race, which offered P6 million to the winning connection.