The fact that the winner cost itself ground by being erratic is irrelevant to the protest proceedings.
Nor is it relevant that the runner-up was a bolter (straws thought it had a chance it seems).
The winning margin in the end was exaggerated by the rider of the 2nd horse having to ease his mount so as not to collected by the winner.
I have no doubt that the stewards got it very wrong, as did the Q stewards with The Jewel in 2003 where there was a hint of local bias: Zagalia NZ bred but aussie owned (John Singleton) and trained v NZ owned and trained The Jewel.
