Some trainers simply changed sulkies and raced on but others were reluctant to do so, especially as some horses can strike the sulky wheels with their back legs racing unfamiliar, smaller sulkies.
The most dramatic reaction came from local trainer Emma Stewart, who scratched all four of her horses in the Cup, including three of the favourites, Guaranteed, Philadelphia Man and Restrepo.
She suggested yesterday that legal action would be taken against HRV or the stewards, saying none of her horses could have started as all were set to race in the larger sulkies. "We had a horse win the last race at Melton on Friday night in the same sulky, then this happens," said Stewart.
HRV boss John Anderson said he was disappointed by the lack of communication from stewards to trainers to tell them they had concerns about the sulky widths and would be measuring them.
The majority of UFO sulkies are within the rules, with suggestions either one batch of larger sulkies was imported or extended after arrival in Australia.
