NEW ZEALAND trainer Roger James and connections of He's Remarkable were left gutted by a controversial protest decision after Saturday's Railway Stakes in Perth, reports The Age/SMH. It says: Respected Sky Racing commentator Greg Radley, who was present for the protest hearing, described it as ''keystone cops'' at play and said the majority of locals were ''embarrassed by the verdict''. ''It was a joke,'' he said yesterday. He's Remarkable was first home in the $1 million group 1 event, but the

NEW ZEALAND trainer Roger James and connections of He's Remarkable were left gutted by a controversial protest decision after Saturday's Railway Stakes in Perth, reports The Age/SMH.

It says: Respected Sky Racing commentator Greg Radley, who was present for the protest hearing, described it as ''keystone cops'' at play and said the majority of locals were ''embarrassed by the verdict''. ''It was a joke,'' he said yesterday.

He's Remarkable was first home in the $1 million group 1 event, but the long-neck margin over the local and $4 favourite, Luckygray, was overturned by stewards.

''I wouldn't mind a dollar for everyone that's told me we've been robbed but it doesn't change things,'' James said yesterday. ''I thought it was a bad decision.''

He's Remarkable's jockey, Kerrin McEvoy, was deemed to have shifted off the rails passing the 600m, causing interference to several runners including Paul Harvey's mount Waratah's Secret, with Luckygray, which was following, interfered with.

''I asked if there was any footage that can prove without any doubt it was our horse that caused the horse [Luckygray] to clip heels,'' James said. ''There was none, anywhere. I put it to them jockey Harvey clipped heels, he was riding his horse along to hold his position ... throwing reins at a tired horse, they can deviate. He was his own worst enemy, wavered onto a horse, but whose heels were they? I had a look at my horse and he hasn't been galloped on. I looked at the film, there was a lot of pressure from the outside.''

Many believed jockey Marco Chui may have shifted in slightly on the $151 chance Big Ted while McEvoy was angling off the inside.

''Why call Marco Chui into the room and ask him if he contributed to the interference?'' Radley asked. ''What is he going to say? The video footage was inconclusive.''

Radley had no doubt Luckygray should have won the race, as the interference cost the horse at least a couple of lengths. ''But I don't think it was McEvoy's fault,'' Radley said. ''There is no definite angle to say McEvoy caused it.''