‘I’ve never seen that happen’: Shock obstacle bobs up in Warrnambool jumps race
A near mid-race collision involving a clerk of the course, a jumps jockey failing a breath test and a 40-1 outsider upstaging the favourites in the Grand Annual Steeplechase were all part of an incident-packed final day of the Warrnambool jumps racing carnival.
In a dramatic open race on Thursday, the clerk of the course grabbed a runaway riderless horse and then veered dangerously into the path of runners as the field turned into the home straight.
The clerk of the course had been trying to ride along the inside running rail but struggled to hold onto the reins of the Andrew Noblet-trained Abreed as it fought to break free.
Jockey Richard O’Donoghue, who was on the race leader and eventual third-placegetter Frankenstar, appeared to change his action to avoid a collision, while Tom Ryan had to shift Jekyll’n’hyde off the fence considerably to avoid any contact.
The field managed to pass the unexpected interference without incident.
Spectators at Warrnambool said that they feared that the clerk of the course’s actions could have caused an accident, or a rider being dislodged.
Will Gordon, riding Affluential, winning as the clerk of the course tries to catch a riderless horse in race one at Warrnambool on Thursday.
“I have never seen that happen before during a race,” one trackside punter said, who did not want to be named. “I don’t know what they were trying to achieve.”
Abreed eventually broke free of the official’s grip and finished the race.
Stewards inspected the vision before declaring correct weight in the 3200m Novice Hurdle. They later suspended jockey Luca Remondet for 10 races for permitting his mount Huntly Castle to shift in near the 800m, close to where Abreed buckled and dislodged its rider Aaron Kuru.
No further action was taken by stewards regarding the bizarre incident.
This masthead was told by Racing Victoria that the clerk of the course was unavailable for comment.
John Leek jnr, who trained the race one winner, Affluential, and Kathryn Durden, who trained Frankenstar, both declined to comment when contacted.
Jockey Ross O’Sullivan.
In an uncanny coincidence, a second clerk of the course had to grab a riderless horse later in the day, during the 5500m Grand Annual Steeplechase, at an almost identical spot on the track, but was able to do so without causing any interference.
In further high drama, jumps jockey Ross O’Sullivan was ruled out from riding 200-1 outsider Wolfe Tone in Thursday’s Grand Annual Steeplechase after failing an on-course breath test.
Jockeys are required to ride under 0.02. O’Sullivan pleaded guilty to exceeding the required alcohol limit and was suspended for a month – from May 2 until midnight June 2.
Racing Victoria refused to reveal O’Sullivan’s blood alcohol reading.
O’Sullivan was replaced by Willie McCarthy on Wolfe Tone, which finished second last behind surprise Grand Annual winner Count Zero.
It was a remarkable turnaround for the Symon Wilde-trained victor, as Count Zero had finished 37.5 lengths last in Tuesday’s Brierly Steeplechase and yet was able to win the gruelling 5500m Grand Annual in a driving finish against Bell Ex One.
“I can’t believe that has just happened,” winning jockey Darryl Horner jnr said after the race.
“I said to the clerk of the course, ‘Did I just win a Grand Annual?’ As it still hasn’t sunk in.”
Horner jnr, who almost gave up the sport to become a builder, said he had battled all week to make the riding weight for Count Zero.
“Me and my best mate Richard O’Donoghue slogged it out all week to get to the 64 [kilograms] and we had each other’s backs the whole week because it got pretty tough,” Horner Jr said.
“I shot home about two hours ago and pulled off the last kilo and I was lying in the bath thinking ‘Will it be worth it?’ And it’s worth it, I can tell you.”
In-form jockey Harry Coffey won the Warrnambool Cup on board the Shane Jackson-trained Mystery Island.
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.