GAI Waterhouse was a winner either way, but she didn't feel like it after her filly Driefontein won today's $2 million Magic Millions Classic after stewards upheld an objection against stablemate No Looking Back.

Driefontein’s rider Tommy Berry was reluctant to lodge an objection against No Looking Back, who was ridden by his close friend Nash Rawiller, but eventually decided to protest and stewards upheld it.

Driefontein becomes Waterhouse’s fourth winner of the Millions, and certainly the most dramatic.

Waterhouse remained tight-lipped throughout the hearing and emerged with a shrug of the shoulders saying, “What can you do?” after the verdict.

Nash Rawiller said he was “devastated” by the decision and the fact that it involved a stablemate “makes it worse.”

Berry, who won the race on Karuta Queen last year, was also a little shell-shocked at the decision, but said the winning feeling will sink in later.

“I feel sorry for Nash because he’s become like my best mate now. He’s helped me out a lot,” Berry said.

For connections, the difference was $840,000.

Online bookmaker Sportingbet said the protest decision cost them $600,000.