Just heard on ATR. In Austraia horses have to load in barrier order. Due to Slade Power's aversion to stalls special permission was requested for him to be loaded last. Permission has not been granted by the stewards. A stalls test on Wednesday saw Slade Power rear in the stalls, receiving minor injuries, and this puts his participation in serious doubt as it could pose a serious threat to horse and jockey. Slade Power latest - 5th Nov
As things stand at the moment, it seems that he's still targeting the race. He was a Flemington today for some track work, and it was thought that he might have another crack at the stalls, but they chose to let it ride. It seems that he's trained to the minute and will not have another stiff test before race day. The noises seem to suggest that Slade Power might run. But who knows?
The jockey could be s**tting himself in the stalls. I wonder if it would help a little if they had vacant stalls either side. There is a precedent for that. PS. It might help the other jockeys if Wayne Lordan does **** himself.
Funny how the Aussie stall handlers managed to make concessions to Black Cavair each time she raced, and when you consider how she was looked after by a special stall handler at Royal Ascot (with advertising logos on too!).....mmmmm.... you Aussies eh Cyc
We'll do anything to win Beefy. Remember Beefy the Pig? [video=youtube;Dg4XmlQwr5Q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg4XmlQwr5Q[/video]
Two ways of seeing this really as on one hand the advantage gained is minimal in that it would only be an advantage if other horses also had stalls phobias and were having to go in before him. A horse that is happy to sit in the stalls has no lesser chance because Slade Power has gone in last. On the other hand if they are the rules in Oz then that's the rules and as someone else pointed out if this is a pivotal requirement for the horse they should have been aware before travelling. If the authorities make allowances for Slade Power, how can they refuse for another horse in the future, so it's correct they stick to the rules.
Looks as though Slade Power will be loaded in barrier order. Racing Victoria deputy chairman of stewards Rob Montgomery has stated that stewards will not allow the horse to be last in. They will however, leave the horse hooded until the last moment and place him in the hands of their senior attendant. Should Slade Power win the G1 Darley Classic, he'll not only collect the $600,000 in prize money, he'll also earn an extra $600,000 bonus offered by the Victorian Racing Club. Not a bad haul.
