YES, no, maybe - that was the conundrum facing a bunch of trainers and drivers following the fifth race at Lord's Raceway on Thursday night.
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The final meeting to be held under the first phase of regional racing in Bendigo produced the period's most thrilling finish, as four horses hit the line together in the mares event.
On the outside, Ardent Bliss looked poised to deliver his Bet Bet trainer Steve O'Connor a win when she hit the front down the straight.
But just when victory looked somewhat assured, Lilnova, driven by Neil McCallum, and Pippa One Two (Alex Ashwood) came diving through to challenge, alongside Arden Up, who was attempting to lead all the way for her trainer and driver Kate Hargreaves.
From the naked eye it looked as though Ardent Bliss might have held on, or Lilnova had got up, but after some deliberation, the judge was unable to separate both Ardent Bliss and Pippa One Two, with Arden Up a half-head away in third.
What at one point shaped as a potential win for the Matthew Higgins-trained Lilnova resulted in a fourth.
Havelock's Tina Ridis, who took the reins behind Ardent Bliss, said she was far from confident of victory but was glad to see her number three flash up on the board.
"You never think you've won until the numbers come up - it was just so close," she said.
"I was just hoping it was a win.
"It was a great finish, looking across and you see four horses, When you are out so wide, you can see the finishing post, but you are not exactly sure where the line is. Another three horses on the inside of you makes it even more difficult."
It was the first career win for Ardent Bliss after nine starts.
Pippa One Two's trainer Trevor Patching was not overly confident either of getting the judge's nod.
"I thought we might have just won, but sometimes you hope more than you know," he said.
"The poor bugger who ran fourth was only been beaten by half a head. It was a good finish."
His share of a win delivered Patching his fourth success during the regional racing period, two apiece with Pippa One Two and Busters Grin.
"(Regional racing) has been great, it has got so many hobby people back keen and going again," he said.
"We were happy with our four wins, and a few placings here and there.
"Poor Buster got a hoof abscess, so we've had to put him out, although he deserved a break, he's been in since August.
"But Pippa will keep going around and I have two others (Abbie Lincoln and Mittyactor) who will be trialling on Sunday, so we're hoping they make the grade too."
Elmore trainer Higgins, who was chasing a sixth win with his five-year-old mare, said from where he was standing, he thought Lilnova had won.
"Some of these tracks have a fair advantage to the outside horse the way the finish line is set up, so it's hard to say," he said.
"Watching the replay when I got home, I thought it was likely (Ardent Bliss) had beaten us all.
"I was surprised I finished fourth, I thought I was in the dead heat."
Relegated to third on Arden Up, who was having her third start in the region, Hargreaves said the decision was too close for her to call while on the track.
"It was a bit exciting, I haven't been involved in a finish that close before," she said.
"I was proud of my little filly, she stuck on pretty well.
"Turning for home I thought the sprint line might get past me and a few on the outside might swoop, but she just fought on.
"I think she's knocking on the door for a win."
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