Havasay wins Ramornie Handicap
Havasay has won the Listed Ramornie Handicap at Grafton for trainer Toby Edmonds who has deflected praise for his win to Liam Birchley.
Gold Coast-based Edmonds took over training Havasay when Birchley was disqualified in the Aquanita race day treatment affair with the horse returning to Birchley at Eagle Farm when he was granted a stay of proceedings in Victoria where the case has been heard.
But with Racing NSW stewards firm on a ban on Birchley-trained horses in the state, Havasay went back to Edmonds for Wednesday’s feature 1200m-sprint at the Grafton carnival.
Ridden by Matt McGillivray, Havasay ($5.50) beat the locally trained Belflyer ($21) by half a length with the Edmonds-trained favourite Tyzone ($4) a short half head behind the runner-up.
“As we know Liam has had a bit of bother,” Edmonds told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“He (Havasay) is a good horse and Matt rode a terrific race.
“It’s a good result for the owners.”
McGillivray rode Tasmanian Brilliant Jet to win the final race on Day One of the meeting and said it had been a great afternoon.
“It is definitely a day to remember,” he said. It’s one of the highlights of my career.
“It means a lot.”
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees and jockey Corey Brown took out the Grafton Guineas (1600m) with Turnberry ($6.50) who beat Captivator ($7.50) by a long head.
Both the winner and the runner-up had come back in distance after unplaced finishes in last month’s Queensland Derby (2200m).
Earlier in the day, jockeys Ben Looker, Josh Adams and Jake Hull were taken to hospital after a three-horse fall.
Looker was concussed and complaining of a sore right thigh while Adams was treated for a cut on his chin and a slight concussion.
Chief steward Mark Holloway said Hull, who appeared relatively unscathed, would also be assessed for concussion.