Punters who backed the favourite in the fourth race at Geelong on Friday didn't get much of a run for their money.
Stephen Baster pulled up the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained Spring Choice ($2.60) after several strides of the Maiden Plate over 1000m as he believed it was a false start.
Video footage clearly shows barrier seven for Royale Effort opening late while Lil' Bit Sassy in barrier 10 was declared a non-starter after being held by the attendant as the barriers opened. Spring Choice was drawn on the outside in 11.
Punters were advised to hold all tickets while stewards examined the film before declaring the Hawkes Racing-trained Lakota ($5.30) the winner over The Freak ($101) by a neck with Royale Effort ($6) closing late for third.
Hold All Tickets in Race 4 @GeelongRaceClubpic.twitter.com/l46XszZo2i
— Racing.com (@Racing) September 8, 2017
Racing Victoria Steward James Hitchcock explained how the rules of racing were applied.
"We spoke to the starter and viewed the film then we spoke to all the riders who participated in the race," Hitchcock told Racing Victoria.
"Having viewed the film it was evident Corey Parish's mount Lil' Bit Sassy was being held by an attendant as the start was being affected, so we felt it was therefore denied a fair start and was accordingly declared a non-runner.
"With regard to Royale Effort it was clearly evident on the film that its barrier didn't open simultaneous to the others but because it was placed third the rules provide that any horse that places first, second or third cannot be declared a non-runner so was deemed a starter."
Hitchcock said the rules of racing were clear regarding the remainder of the field.
"As for the balance of the field we were satisfied that the rest of the gates opened simultaneously and all the runners were afforded a fair start," Hitchcock said.
"Stephen Baster was of the belief that the race would be declared a non-race but you have to play to the umpires whistle so (Spring Choice) was declared a runner.
"It's the starter's call to effect a false start and there are sirens and mechanisms in place for that to occur. That didn't occur so all riders have to ride and treat it as a race - as simple as that."
