Tasmania’s most prestigious horse race was run over the wrong distance after officials placed the starting barriers in the wrong spot.
Tasracing confirmed the 2,400-metre Hobart Cup was “marginally short” of its advertised distance due to a positioning error.
“Tasracing has become aware that the starting position barriers for Sunday’s Hobart Cup were not placed in the intended position within the starting chute,” the organisation said.
“While the result of the race stands, no objections were lodged following the running of the Hobart Cup and correct weight was declared.”
But the bungle has triggered two investigations – an internal Tasracing inquiry and a referral to the Tasmanian Racing Integrity Commissioner.
“Tasracing will provide a further statement in due course, including details of steps it will implement to ensure the error does not occur again,” a statement said.
The mistake has cast a shadow over what was otherwise a fairytale result.
Blonde Star, a $31 outsider trained by Imogen Miller, delivered the first Tasmanian-trained Hobart Cup win since 2020.
The five-year-old mare edged out race favourite Ziryab in a photo finish, with just 0.57 lengths separating the first four horses.
She also set a new track record of 2:29.67, although that time is now in doubt given the shorter-than-advertised distance.
Tasracing has not yet revealed how far short the race was run.
