Jockey Clare Lindop felt it was “slightly unfair” she was denied a dead heat on Nearest To Pin in Saturday’s City Jeep Handicap at Moonee Valley.
But for the winning connections of Vibrant Rouge a decent wait for the judge’s decision was worth it.
Lindop burst through along the inside in the 1200m race on Nearest The Pin ($13) to hit the front, while Kerrin McEvoy finished strongly wider out on Vibrant Rouge ($7.50).
The pair were locked together as they crossed the line.
After several minutes, Vibrant Rouge was declared the winner by the barest of margins, a nose.
Lindop looked at the photo finish and wasn’t convinced, but copped the decision sweet.
“The horse that beat us has got a white nose and the white and pixel was distorted,” Lindop said.
“To me it was slightly unfair it wasn’t a dead heat, but the judge’s decision is final and we live to fight another day.”
McEvoy felt he had just got there, but the wait made him start to doubt.
“Normally it doesn’t take that long to get the result,” he said.
“She’s a very genuine and game mare.
“I thought I did get there, but obviously it was only a bob of the head.”
Vibrant Rouge trainer Glenn Thornton was thrilled with the victory, but admitted the nervous wait was “hard to handle”.
“I didn’t know if we’d won, but I was hoping. I didn’t want to go the early crow,” he said.
“She’s just so honest and tries her backside off.”
Go The Knuckle came in a long head away third.