Thousands watched the race at a Cranbourne racetrack in Victoria, dubbed the "midgets' cup", as part of Sunday's Cranbourne Cup meeting, Adelaide Now reports.

What do you think of the race — was it harmless fun or just plain ridicule? Share your thoughts below.

Three men raced down a 50m stretch with a short statured person on each of their backs.

The race ended with one "jockey" falling and crashing headfirst into the dirt but he was uninjured.

Victorian racing minister Rob Hulls said he couldn’t understand the point of the race.

"At a time when racing should be fighting hard for that discretionary dollar and fighting hard to get young people back to the track, this type of event does nothing to promote the industry as vital, modern or innovative," he was quoted by Adelaide Now as saying.

Meredith Tripp, a former president of the Short Statured People of Australia association, told the newspaper that events that made fun of short statured people made it harder for them to go through life without being subject to ridicule.

"For a big corporate group seeing some sort of comical side to such an event is unfortunate," she said.

Cranbourne Racing Club said it received no complaints about the race on the day.

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User comments

just a bit of harmless fun everytime someone does something someone critisise it if they wont to do it let them people are too judgementle these days GET A LIFE!!!!!!!

What about the midgets using the poor white middle aged male hetrosexual as a f__king horse!!!!!! for f__k sake this is rediculous

The critics of this dwarf race really need to take a good look at themselves - and then ask why? They are the people that need help because this time they have gone too far. It seems as if they are purposely going out of their way to find offence at anything they can. These critics should try role reversal and see these dwarfs having a load of fun and willing participants. If the "horses" had girl riders would these critics still complain about sexual exploitation? The race day is more than gambling - it's a fun day that includes fun activities and like most things in life, if you don't like it don't watch!! But please, if you are one of these critics, talk to a professional person because you really do need help.

Is there really an organisation called The Short Statured People of Australia association? Does that mean there's a Tall Statured People Of Australia association? What about something for the people who are fat, skinny, olive, fair, big nose, little nose, blonde, brunette?

If they were young children dressed as jockeys, would there have been this over-reaction? I think not. The little people took part in it voluntarily and I imagine they enjoyed it, as also would any adult, were they small emnough to be able to take part, Grow up and get over yourselves, all you humourless ***!

What critics? Who are they? No one I know. Whoever they are, I agree they need to get over themselves and stop their bleeding heart garbage. Australia is getting sick of it. It was just a bit of fun, an ironic joke, afterall, jockeys are short people too! Don't hear them complaining.

What's going on here? Can't we all just have a little bit of fun? I think critics have nothing else to do anymore, especially when it can be seen that all those involved in the 'Midget Cup' are having fun with the whole situation. I see the humor in this, I think it's great that all involved are having fun in this 'stunt'. Wake up! Have a laugh you boring people!

I think we are all over critics and political correctness. We are all out to have a good time and critics spoil it for everyone else saying they are offended for the taller and shorter people making a good day great. get over it. They looked like they had fun, if that was me, i would've had a ball.

Australians historically have had a great snese of humour and battle together as one through thick and thin. How dare these minority groups with no sense of humour and absurd political correctness be given so much voice by the media. Lets get back the to being Aussies with a great sense of humour.

What The!! Were these people forced to participate in this event - this is just another example of the Do Gooder's gettin on their high horses (excuse the pun) over nothing. There is more important stuff for people to be worried about then what is obviously a bit of fun agreed to by all participants. Get over it!!

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