Robert Smerdon's day got better while Amy Johnston was all smiles after the Turnbull Stakes on a busy day around the track at Saturday's Flemington meeting.
SMERDON GETS A WIN AFTER TROUBLE
Robert Smerdon's other runner was scratched after stewards alleged the horse had been treated on raceday, but the Caulfield trainer had some luck when Now Or Later lifted to win the Group II Blazer Stakes.
Stewards withdrew Lovani from the Listed Paris Lane Stakes after alleging the mare received an oral substance after arriving Flemington.
Now Or Later ran down the Danny O'Brien-trained Merriest to notch her maiden Australian win with Ryan Maloney in the saddle.
Chief steward Terry Bailey said Now Or Later was allowed to run because "there was no evidence of any treatment when she was inspected".
Stewards subsequently adjourned their inquiry, which will continue next week at the Racing Victoria offices.
JOB DONE FOR JOHNSTON DESPITE RUNNING LAST
Mornington trainer Amy Johnston was all smiles despite her charge Skyfire trailing the field in the Turnbull Stakes.
Skyfire finished 26 ½ lengths from Winx in the Turnbull Stakes but the Make-A-Wish Foundation was $1000 better off after the race.
Skyfire earned $10,000 for running last in the Turnbull Stakes and Johnston donated her trainer's percentage to the great cause.
"It was a bit of fun wasn't it?" Johnston said. "It's how you'd expect a 61-rater to run against Winx.
"It was $1000 to the Make-A-Wish (Foundation), a great day out and everyone's happy."
NEW SYSTEM OFF TO A TRICKY START AT FLEMINGTON
A little section of the Flemington Straight Six track started the day on the wet side after a sprinkler malfunction early in the day.
To his credit, Mick Goodie advised punters of the problem via Twitter at 6.30am on Saturday morning, stating the area at about the 950m was rated as a soft (6).
"I've got a new sprinkler system and there was a problem with one of the pilot valves and it stayed on," Goodie said.
"When the system finished the 'rain lock' came on but half an hour after it finished, I got a call saying the sprinkler was still on.
"It's one sprinkler so it was about 30m in width and it wasn't a drama."
$8000 PROBLEM FOR TRAINER
On a lighter note, a Group I-winning trainer might like to measure his home purchases in future.
The trainer has moved into a new apartment and treated himself to a new couch that carried an $8000 price tag.
The trainer struck a problem when the couch was delivered and was too big to get in the lifts at the building to go the 17 floors to his apartment.
Compounding his tale of woe, the vendor of the couch refused to take the furniture back, leaving our man with an expensive problem.
D-DAY FOR RUPEE NEXT WEEK
Former horse of the year Lankan Rupee will return to racing next Saturday but trainer Mick Price does not know how the five-time Group I winner will go in the Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield.
Lankan Rupee pulled up with cardiac arrhythmia when well beaten in Adelaide at his last run on August 19 and had a jumpout at Caulfield last Tuesday.
Price said Lankan Rupee went well enough in the jumpout but added race pressure would be another thing.
"He's had the ECG and he's fine," Price said.
"He's well but I'm not sure how he's going to sustain race pressure until we get to the races.
"It will be his action that tells us where he's at."
