The Melbourne Cup, now an international event, is of course run at Flemington. But they wouldn't want to dare hold any international races down their straight without risking an international racing controversy.

Last Saturday in their wisdom the inside rail was moved out 10 metres. Was this aimed at making fairer racing? While most of the racing looked pretty fair the straight racing was again unfair. The penetrometer readings were: Inside 3.81, Outside 3.64. It meant horses on the Inside had no chance in races down the straight. That is absolutely ridiculous when you consider the track was upgraded to Fast during the day.

Fortunately there was only one race down the straight, an Open Handicap over 1100 metres which started with 13 runners. Two horses, Suit from barrier one and Dash For Cash from barrier two, elected to race on the Inside. They finished fifth and seventh, beaten by five lengths. Ignore their results. They never had a chance.

From a betting and ratings perspective these races down the Flemington straight become nothing short of guesswork. We assumed Generalissimo, who started from barrier three, would also race on the Inside. Race over. He might as well have been scratched.

Instead he went to the outside, but lost considerable ground in doing so and settled well back, in an awkward position four wide from the outside rail. He hit the line hard over the last 200 and put in a huge run for second behind the smart Prince Rubiton. If Generalissimo had drawn the right side of the track he would have won.

On New Year's Day at Flemington the Standish Handicap will be held at the track and of course is going to be hyped up in the media. Our recommendation is punters go on strike and refuse to bet in the race due to the biased Flemington straight. Of course, that won't happen and most punters will throw their money away betting on the race. After all, something's got to win.

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