By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
RACING Victoria steward Rob Montgomery said no concerns were raised about the safety of the Sandown track ahead of an ill-fated jumps race meeting on Wednesday.
According to a stewards report, Show Dancer was euthanised after losing its footing and crashing at a fence in the opening race. Its jockey and two other riders who fell from horses weren’t injured.
The day’s final seven flats races were abandoned due to jockeys reporting horses were slipping on the track, which had been resurfaced last year at a cost of $3.2 million.
Melbourne Racing Club track manager Tim Bailey reportedly said after the races that he had “a few sleepless nights” leading into the meet.
He told reporters that adding two jumps races to the card “may have bitten us on the bum”.
Mr Montgomery said Mr Bailey had not expressed safety concerns to stewards before the race.
“He was concerned because two extra races were on the program and would cause extra wear-and-tear on the track.
“The track was rated a dead four – it had wear and tear on the inside.
“This is a new track we’re talking about – it’s only just been laid.”
He said after race 3, an aerator was unsuccessfully used to stabilise shifting turf plugs.
Mr Montgomery added that widening the track to include jump’s races had exposed the loose sections of the track.
Stewards abandoned the rest of the event at 1.15pm.
