I would suggest over half of NH races have what can be deemed as "unfair" starts with either runners getting flyers or being left behind – any particular reason for singling this one out?
Winning margin was 12 lengths – how much "advantage" did he have at the start?
Reason I pointed this one out is:
As you are aware Paul, some horses are suited by racing prominently and are not able to reproduce their form if closed in by rivals or not able to race prominently when not getting a good start. Had Twist Magic NOT been able to get a good early position, there was a good chance he would NOT have won (despite winning by 12 lengths). Nothing to do with ability, but because his mind would not have been on the job.
The starter effectively did Ruby’s job for him, he allowed Twist Magic to get a good early position. Does not matter how big that early advantage was, the fact it was an advantage was enough, because of Twist Magic’s temperament.
The distance a horse wins by does not give the whole picture.