Controversy erupted at the start of the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes while one trainer had a painful watch at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
BLINDFOLD RECORD LEAVES FOLKS SCRATCHING HEADS
Nobody knew the answer to a simple question when Darren Weir spoke to stewards after the Star Exhibit barrier blindfold debacle.
The Weir-trained Star Exhibit reared in the gates, dislodging jockey Mark Zahra, and costing those that backed the horse into a $4.40 favourite their hard-earned.
Weir told stewards the gelding had worn a blindfold before heading into the barriers before his Doomben Cup placing in the winter but the memory became hazy for everyone involved after that.
The question was asked whether Star Exhibit had worn a blindfold before moving into the barriers when he resumed in the PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield last month.
But nobody knew the answer because there were no records of the horse having a blindfold when in his previous Victorian runs. Chief steward Terry Bailey later confirmed RV stewards had never received an application from the Weir stable for Star Exhibit to wear the hood before going into the barrier.
It was an interesting sight to watch betting steward Andre Kassay squinting at a replay of the PB Lawrence Stakes in a bid to find out what had happened on that occasion.
The upshot of it all was that Star Exhibit will need to trial with the use of the blindfold before he is able to use it before a race…but punters still did their money cold.
Star Exhibit reared when the gates opened, flinging Mark Zahra out the back. pic.twitter.com/GnLDl0a8S6
— Racing.com (@Racing) September 9, 2017
NIGHTMARE FOR HAYES
Watching a race behind a trainer is always an interesting experience but viewing a replay behind a trainer that had no luck is on a different level.
David Hayes, along with training partners, son Ben and Tom Dabernig, had two runnners in the LF Sign Group Handicap (2040m) but both Foundation and Harlow Gold had unlucky runs.
Hayes changed the tactics to send Foundation back to last after he led at his previous run and things looked good for jockey Jake Duffy when the import tracked into contention from the 700m.
Howevrer, things went pear-shaped from that point when Foundation was severely held up on the home turn before running home to finish 1 ¾ lengths from the winner Magnapal.
Hayes had no doubt Foundation should have won the race.
"The tactic was right but why go inside when you draw (barrier) 14?" Hayes said of Duffy's decision to look for a run between horses.
The stable's other runner Harlow Gold was unable to build momentum behind the eventual winner before working home to finish 1 ½ lengths from the winner in sixth spot.
Welcome back to winner's list, Magnapal! What about the run of Foundation!? Huge. #RacingLivepic.twitter.com/BWTMr3cNNf
— Racing.com (@Racing) September 9, 2017
WILLIAMS DECIDES TO STICK WITH JUKEBOX IN DANEHILL
A switch in plans left Craig Williams with a decision to make about his ride in next Saturday's Danehill Stakes.
Williams had committed to ride both smart colt Jukebox and Blue Diamond Stakes winner Catchy and in their spring campaigns when the pair were set to embark on different programmes.
However, Catchy's connections decided to switch plans with the filly to tackle the males in the Blue Diamond Stakes but Williams was already committed to riding the unbeaten Jukebox.
"I didn't have a choice. I was committed to Jukebox (in the Danehill Stakes) and they changed their plans with Catchy," Williams said.
"When they told me their plans, she was going to stay with the fillies until the Guineas and she wasn't an option and I'd already confirmed on Jukebox."
Regan Bayliss will ride Catchy in the Danehill Stakes.
MORE MONEY THROWN AT VICTORIAN LABS
The Victorian Government has earmarked another $1.6 million to fund improvements to the testing equipment at the Racing Analytical Services Limited laboratory at Flemington.
The operation tests more than 50,000 samples from throughbred, harness and greyhound racing but will have a cash injection to secure more advanced equipment to keep up with new pharmaceutical trends.
