IT'S GINO's part-owner Tonya Rogge said on Wednesday that it is a matter of "correctness" that they appeal against the Longchamp stewards' decision to name theGerman raider joint-third in last Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
However, the BHA's senior judge cast doubt on whether the photo-finish print was as conclusive as connections believe.
Connections are adamant the Pavel Vovcenko-trained five-year-old held an advantage over the Aidan O'Brien-trained Soldier Of Fortune at the line, having analysed details of the photo-finish.
"It is about the prestige, but basically it is just about correctness," said Rogge.
"Obviously we're delighted he has finished third or joint-third if you like, but if he has finished a clear third, we don't see why we should settle for a dead-heat.
"We have lodged a protest, as has the jockey , and we will just have to see what happens.”
Rogge also told Racing UK: "He was obviously an outsider but the ground was in our favour and he just ran a beautiful race - we were absolutely ecstatic.
"He was slightly lame after the race but he is okay now and, while we were looking at the Japan Cup for him, we will have to but that on hold. :ooo:
“He will come back home soon and we will then give him a couple of months off and bring him back next year - hopefully to England.”
Rogge added: "Being a Melbourne girl, my favourite would be Royal Ascot."
France Galop's judges are likely to have used computer images to reach their verdict and, despite connections' belief, the BHA's senior judge Alastair Stewart said the photo-finish print was "not definitive enough" to determine whether It's Gino was third.
The connections of Overdose, the Hungarian sprinter who finished first past the post in the void running of the Prix de l'Abbaye, said on Wednesday they were likely to take legal advice, having not received any offer of compensation from France Galop.
Arc day's other controversy is now available to view on the internet with a "virtual race" between Overdose and Marchand D'Or - the winner of the re-run Group 1 - having been posted on Youtube, under the heading 'Overdose gegen Marchand D'Or'. It shows the two runnings in parallel on split screen.
