Flooding Forces Trainers Off Farm

Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday February 6, 2008

Craig Young

THE Australian Jockey Club's woes continued yesterday, with horses prevented from working at Warwick Farm because an access tunnel was flooded.

Trainers Peter Snowden, Clarry Conners and Guy Walter hastily arranged for horses to be taken to Rosehill.

Senior executives from the embattled AJC, and its track consultancy, Turnpoint, called an urgent meeting with Warwick Farm trainers yesterday morning.

"We told them of our concerns but we keep hearing the same old thing," said Snowden, who heads the training operation of Australian racing's biggest owner-breeder Bob Ingham.

"Unfortunately, we've had a lot of rain but it is the third time in six months the tunnel has flooded. They say, 'The pump blew up, it was a blackout', there is always a reason why it happens - but it is not good enough and it's going from bad to worse."

A car tunnel is being built under the course proper and training circuits at Warwick Farm, with a new work track also being laid.

Hastily designed stabling is also on its way, with the AJC set to be financially compensated for hosting Pope Benedict XVI's World Youth Day at Randwick in July.

The construction work has severely hindered Warwick Farm's trainers, who prepare more than 500 horses there.

"We haven't got one circular track to work on," said Snowden, who has 85 horses in work.

The AJC has not contacted the STC about working out a plan to aid the trainers.

"We are only too happy to help out where we can but there is a limit,' Murphy said.

Meanwhile, apprentice Joshua Jones yesterday withdrew an appeal against a three-month suspension for careless riding at Grafton on December 2.

Racing NSW stewards suspended Jones after finding him guilty of allowing Concitare to shift in passing the 200m while being ridden with the whip when not clear of Hotshot Hayil, which collided with another runner and ultimately fell.

Hotshot Hayil was ridden by Daniel Baker, who later died. A benefit night for the Daniel Baker Trust will be held at Coffs Harbour racecourse tomorrow night.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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