In one of the most dramatic racing moments of the New Zealand season, spectators at Otaki were left stunned as overwhelming favourite Road To Paris lost certain victory in the final strides of the Group 3 Wellington Stakes when jockey Masa Hashizume was dislodged just metres from the winning post. What seemed an inevitable triumph quickly spiralled into an unforgettable scene that shifted the entire complexion of the race.
The incident unfolded late on Sunday afternoon, when Road To Paris — sent out as the clear favourite after a string of impressive performances — surged to the front and appeared poised to secure a comfortable win. With less than 100 metres remaining, the gelding had established a commanding lead and looked unchallenged as he powered towards the finish line. But racing, as every trainer knows, can turn in an instant.
In the final 50 metres, Road To Paris suddenly veered sharply to the right, a movement so abrupt that Hashizume had no choice but to leap from the saddle to avoid being dragged under the horse’s legs. In a heart-stopping moment, the jockey landed just ahead of the trailing pack. He was extremely fortunate not to be struck by any of the oncoming runners as the rest of the field swept past him at full speed. Spectators and commentators alike gasped, with many bracing for the worst before confirmation soon arrived that both horse and rider had escaped injury.
The chaos opened the door for Ammirati, who had been tracking comfortably in second position throughout the home straight. Ammirati was the first to dart through the gap left by the drifting leader, but even that near-seamless transition came with its own danger. The sudden move from Road To Paris nearly impeded Ammirati’s run, momentarily forcing the eventual winner to steady. Despite that momentary concern, the snapshot photo finish later confirmed that Ammirati had indeed clung on to victory by the smallest of margins ahead of fast-finishing rivals Tulsa King and Landman.
A series of striking images from the race circulated immediately after the finish, capturing the instant Hashizume was forced from his mount. Photos shared on social platform X showed the dramatic angle of Road To Paris’ unexpected right-hand turn and the moment of separation between horse and jockey. The stills emphasised how close Hashizume came to being run down by the field — a reminder of the risks jockeys accept every time they ride.
Shortly after the race concluded, the connections of Tulsa King lodged a formal protest, alleging interference during the decisive closing stages. Their challenge was aimed at the disruptive movement caused by Road To Paris, which altered the natural path of the runners behind him. The protest was taken into careful consideration by stewards, who viewed multiple replays before announcing their decision.
Ultimately, the protest was dismissed. Officials determined that while the dramatic shift from Road To Paris had caused complications, it did not materially disadvantage Tulsa King to a degree warranting a change in the finishing order. However, stewards did issue a warning to the connections of Road To Paris regarding the gelding’s racing manners, a formal note intended to address his erratic behaviour and prevent future incidents of this nature.
Speaking after the race, Dylan Johnson, representing the stable of winning trainer Stephen Marsh, acknowledged the bizarre manner in which Ammirati had secured victory.
“It’s a funny old game,” Johnson said, summing up the mood in the aftermath of an unpredictable finish.
Johnson elaborated on Ammirati’s performance, noting that the horse had been under pressure throughout the final 600 metres but continued to respond in the closing stages.
“It was a good performance from the horse. He was under a bit of pressure from the 600m, but he just kept finding and he was actually starting to pick the favourite up in that last little bit before everything happened.”
For Johnson and the Marsh stable, the victory, while unusual, counts all the same in the record books. “It’s an unusual way to win the race, but it’ll go in the book,” he remarked, acknowledging the unorthodox circumstances surrounding the result.
The incident will undoubtedly spark discussion in the racing community, not just because of the astonishing shift in fortunes at the finish, but also due to concerns about safety and racing etiquette. Sudden movements by leading horses have long been a point of contention in the sport, with some arguing for stricter penalties to avoid dangerous situations. In this case, the near-miss involving Hashizume highlighted the risk of catastrophic injury in such moments.
Still, the Wellington Stakes will be remembered not for controversy in the stewards’ room, but for the dramatic visual spectacle that unfolded in real time. Punters who had backed the favourite could only watch in disbelief as victory slipped away at the last moment. Meanwhile, those connected to Ammirati enjoyed a triumph that came via an unexpected — and nerve-testing — pathway.
Despite the disappointment for connections of Road To Paris, relief was the overriding emotion regarding Hashizume’s condition. Emerging unscathed from such a frightening incident was perhaps the best possible outcome on a day when luck and misfortune battled in the space of a few metres.
As the dust settles, Road To Paris will likely undergo further assessment before his next start, and the warning issued by stewards will remain a point of focus for his training team. Ammirati, on the other hand, earns a valuable Group 3 victory and significant momentum heading deeper into the racing season.
