The talking point this week no doubt is the drama surrounding the protest in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic.

In fact, it will be a talking point for many weeks to come.

It seems everyone has a view, and not all agree with the end result.

It was a big call by stewards to uphold the objection that apprentice Tom Berry seemed reluctant to enter, but we all know the extenuating circumstances and most understand the pressure that was thrust upon the young jockey.

It wasn't just the last 50 metres of the race that stewards had to deal with, there were other incidents that occurred immediately post-race that are, apparently and understandably, of some concern to them.

While those who agree with the stewards' eventual decision are in the minority, I believe in most racing centres of the world, the protest would have been upheld and in most cases would have been lodged by the stewards themselves.

In the US and in South Africa, for instance, from my experience, the placings would have been reversed virtually before the horses returned to scale, for in those countries a horse must not take another horse's running or bump or interfere with it.

The film of the Magic Millions clearly shows Nash Rawiller making no attempt to stop his horse from veering out on to its stablemate. Had he stopped riding to correct its path, the horse may still have won, and in any event, possibly survived a protest.

However, he didn't, and stewards simply acted on what they saw, not what might have been.

'Losers' break even

BUT not everyone was a loser. Customers of the corporate bookie Sportsbet got a surprise when it was announced all win bets on No Looking Back, which won and then lost the Classic, would be refunded.

In a brief statement after the race, Sportsbet spokesman Hayden Lane announced: "If we were betting on the outcome of the protest, it would have been short odds of it being dismissed, so we are more than happy to refund bets to those punters who backed No Looking Back".

It is believed Sportsbet refunded more than $25,000 on the horse and is further proof of the widening gap the corporate bookies are opening over their opposition in respective TABs around the country.

It is also a great PR exercise and naturally would be welcomed and unexpected for the backers of the horse.

And apparently, it is not the first time Sportsbet has made similar refunds.