by TERRY BUTTS of the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER

CONFUSION still reigns after the last race at Cluden last Tuesday when correct weight was inadvertently declared in spite of a request by a jockey to review  the patrol film .

The chief steward Ian Brown has already  apologized to Cairns owner Robert Koch  for what has been labelled a “mistake”.

Koch was at the Magic Millions Breeze Up Sales when his horse Boom Sha La finished second to Eureka Dubai in the final race when Brown phoned  him to apologize.

The owner was then sent a copy of the patrol film to view before making a decision whether to pursue with a belated protest at the result.

Prizemoney has been withheld, but punters have been paid out on the winner.

Connections have until today (Tuesday) to decide if they will continue with the protest, which would be heard at tomorrow’s Cluden meeting.

" A bit like the police v police," said owner Koch.

.Following is the official Stewards' Report:on the incident:

Upon returning to scale Jockey Simmons as the rider of BOOM SHA LA indicated to the Chairman of Stewards that he wished to review the patrol footage to ascertain if he had grounds to lodge an objection against EUREKA DUBAI being declared the winner on the basis of interference suffered during the middle stages of the race. After weighing the remaining placegetters correct weight was mistakenly provided to the on course announcer. The mistake was realised immediately following this and an attempt was made to recall the announcement of correct weight however, the announcement of correct weight had already been broadcast. Therefore wagering on the race had commenced to be finalized and as such no objection was heard. This incident was reported to Mr Daniel Aurisch, as the Deputy Chief Steward of Racing Queensland, following the race meeting and will be reviewed with a report to be forthcoming.