HRV stewards had an eventful evening at last night’s Ballarat Cup meeting with a number of key drivers suspended and several high-profile injuries reported following a scrimmage in the Group 1 feature.
Star New Zealand reinsman Anthony Butt is poised to miss the remainder of the Sky Channel Trotters Inter Dominion with Genius after incurring a four week suspension for causing interference on Mister DG in the Pacing Cup.
Stewards deemed Butt was at fault in an incident with 600-metres to travel that saw heavily-backed favourite Slipnslide knocked out of the race.
SA Cup winner The Warp Drive sustained a cut on his leg during the drama and has been stood down by stewards for six days with a veterinary clearance to follow before he can resume racing.
The Butt-stable later reported that Mister DG had incurred a suspensory ligament injury and that the 2004 Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup champion was likely to be retired.
Thankfully for Team McCarthy Treuer Memorial winner Slipnslide appeared to have escaped the incident injury-free.
Also in the $125,000 feature, Ian McMahon aboard Flashing Red was suspended for four weeks for causing interference to Bobs Blue Boy on the first turn.
A decision on whether Butt and McMahon will appeal is unknown at this stage, although it’s likely the pair will do so with so much at stake over coming weeks.
Earlier in the night, six-time Australian driving champion Chris Alford was suspended for two weeks for causing interference on Jaccka Haughty in race two.
Alford commenced his suspension at midnight last night and will return to driving on Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup Day on Sunday, February 12.
Kelly-Anne Dunne was suspended for six weeks in the opening Derby heat under Rule 149(1) for failing to give her drive Asuza every chance to obtain the best possible finishing position, whilst Eddie Austin incurred a two week suspension for causing interference on Live Again in the third event.
In other news, Tatlow Stakes winner Safe Breaker bled in the second Alabar Victoria Derby heat and has been stood down from racing for three months.
