Stewards grill apprentices over early speed burn in Beanie For Brain Cancer Handicap

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 6 years ago

Stewards grill apprentices over early speed burn in Beanie For Brain Cancer Handicap

By Chris Roots
Updated

The difference between winning and losing for apprentices Lee Magorrian and Blaike McDougall was knowing when "to take a pull" at Rosehill on Saturday.

Magorrian admitted to making McDougall work on Firsthand, which was friendless in betting late, before taking a hold of Invinzabeel, which went on to take the Beanie For Brain Cancer Handicap.

Under scrutiny: Lee Magorrian rides Invinzabeel to win the Beanie For Brain Cancer Handicap.

Under scrutiny: Lee Magorrian rides Invinzabeel to win the Beanie For Brain Cancer Handicap.Credit: AAP

The first 400 metres drew the attention of stewards, who have adjourned an inquiry into the race. It was the second race in two weeks stewards took an interest in an early speed burn.

McDougall kept trying to cross on Firsthand until the first turn as Invinzabeel and favourite Flow, which was on the fence, kicked up to hold him out.

"It is probably the worst ride of my career," McDougall said frankly. "I just had a brain snap."Stewards asked both McDougall and Magorrian if they had spoken to any other jockeys before the race during the inquiry. They were particularly interested in the betting relating to Firsthand.

"We are looking into a fair bit of lay activity on the race, in particular surrounding your horse Firsthand," chief steward Marc Van Gestel told McDougall and Firsthand's trainer Michael Hawkes.

"I thought the horse would win today and was told by owners including my wife and family friends," Hawkes said. "We are very disappointed considering the ride. He is only a kid and just over did it. We have had a discussion about the ride already."

The three leaders ran the 200metre section in 10.99seconds, when Magorrian made Firsthand "work a bit because it was one of the main chances".

Advertisement

"My horse doesn't really like being around other horses and, by putting the speed into the race, it helped him," Magorrian said. "If I didn't do that he would have been in the pack around other horses and probably switched off.

"I would been able to come to their outside in the straight and he really found the line.

"It was a strong win."

Loading

Invinzabeel held off Voilier to score by a half length with New Universe a lip away in third. Flow held on for fourth, while Firsthand dropped out.

Most Viewed in Sport

Loading