Storm Brews Over Photo Finish Controversy

A disillusioned Darrin Croser is searching for answers after his greyhound Zetland Girl was deemed to have been beaten a nose at Goulburn on Friday.

The 13-time winner led race four, a 350 metre free for all, before going across the line in tandem with a fast finishing Maldini.

Racecaller Kel O' Rourke leaned the way of Zetland Girl in the thrilling photo-finish before the officiating judge declared Maldini had prevailed by a nose with favourite Apollo Speed back in third.

All clear was then given.

Given the closeness of the finish, trainer Darrin Croser requested to view the official photo and after doing so submitted a formal request that the matter be investigated further.

"I'm still yet to be shown where there is a margin that separates Maldini from my greyhound (Zeltand Girl)," Croser said.

"If someone can show me that then the matter is dead and buried as far as I'm concerned.

"I've made a formal request that it be looked into but as I understand it the stewards are satisfied with the decision that was handed down.

"I've had people say to me that on the photo that's available it looks as if my bitch won let alone a dead-heat but after viewing the photo on the day a dead-heat would have been the correct and fair decision.

"They say the judges decision is final but what if this was a race worth $50,000 to-the-winner?

"There is no way the process is as good as it should be given the amount of money involved in both prize money and wagering."

Croser has made application to the Greyhound, Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) for the matter to be investigated in the hope that his bitch can be acknowledged with half of Friday afternoon's free for all event.

"The decision has been made based on the assumption that the nose of the seven greyhound is in front of my greyhound," Croser said.

"In the photo it is clear that it is actually the foot of my dog that has aligned with the nose of the seven and caused the confusion.

"I understand what's happened has happened and people can make mistakes but there is still an avenue to rectify the results and that's what I've made an application to GWIC for."

On Saturday morning at Richmond, GWIC stewards overturned the judges posting of results in race two.

The judge initially deemed Wicked Opal as the runner-up behind Zoe's Charm before stewards intervened and concluded Lila's Angel had in fact finished second.

The overturning of results was done before all clear was posted.

In regard to Friday's incident at Goulburn, GWIC stewards said: "Following the declaration of ‘All Clear' for race 4, the connections of the second placegetter, Zetland Girl requested to view the photo finish of the event.

"After viewing the photo finish in the company of Trainer Mr. Darrin Crosser, Stewards informed Mr. Crosser that there was insufficient evidence to enliven the Stewards discretion pursuant to GR61(8) and alter the placings as decided by the Judge. Therefore, the placings for the event remained unaltered."