Big Dance protest overturns Chad Schofield's victory

The $3 million Big Dance saw a dramatic shift in results after stewards upheld a protest against Chad Schofield. Nash Rawiller filed a complaint against Schofield, claiming interference between the 600m and 500m mark.

Formal Display, the original winner, was moved to fourth place following the decision. Gringotts, who had started as the $2.80 favorite, was elevated to third after the protest was accepted.

Stewards, led by chief stipe Tom Moxon, determined that the interference cost Gringotts 'in excess of two lengths' and that the horse would have had an unimpeded run to the end of the race without the incident.

Hellsing was declared the new winner, with Matias in second place. Schofield was robbed of a lucrative Sydney spring carnival treble after he won the $20 million Everest (1200m) on Tempted and $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) on Skyhook.

The prize money differential cost Formal Display's connections $1.485 million. Hellsing's jockey, Tom Sherry, expressed mixed feelings about the result, acknowledging Schofield's misfortune.

Sherry admitted cursing Schofield after the race but later felt bad for the jockey. The protest result was not ideal, but Sherry said the team was happy to take the win.