Questions are being asked over the decision to abruptly cut short the Reefton Jockey Club’s annual meeting on Thursday after just one race, due to safety concerns.
Madison Rose, ridden by senior rider Terry Moseley, slipped briefly on the point of the turn during the running of the first race.
Moseley and Madison Rose went on to win the maiden but, soon after, a delegation of stipendiary stewards and senior riders Moseley, Lee Callaway and Jason Laking, as well as apprentice Kelsey Hannan, inspected the section of track where the horse slipped.
The subsequent decision by chief stipendiary steward John Oatham to abandon was met with a mixed reaction from trainers, riders and the public, who had settled in for an afternoon of racing action.
Oatham said he had concerns before the races started due to the rain on the track after weeks of dry weather, and he had addressed that with all riders in the morning.
Moseley said his horse had been travelling well at the point of the turn when the near hind leg slipped.
"When we inspected the track there were no slip marks on that section of track. I was happy enough for the races to go ahead, but I can’t speak for everyone."
Leading South Island trainer Michael Pitman was dismayed at the decision to abandon.
"I don’t believe it was to do with the track whatsoever. I believe it was rider error.
"If the stipes were so concerned about the ground why did they allow a horse to race with three plates [shoes]? A horse slipped and fell on a good track at Greymouth when it lost a plate."
Club president Brian Molloy had a frown across his face after the decision.
"We are just gutted, but if there is a safety concern then safety is everything. It is unfortunate but we move on," he said.
After reading the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing report of yesterday’s incident, and taking into account specialist opinion, he said today the club intended to "pursue the matter further".
- By Paul McBride
