Livamol Classic rescheduling likely to end Gingernut’s Cup chance

Gingernuts
Gingernuts could head to the Cox plate instead of the more suitable Caulfield Cup after the abandonment of the Livamol Classic at Hastings on Saturday

THE abandonment of the 2017 Livamol Classic could have significant ramifications for Caulfield Cup fancy Gingernuts.

Te Akau Stud owner David Ellis told reporters that unless the Classic is rescheduled in the next two days, Gingernuts won’t be running and that would in turn put an end to its Caulfield Cup preparations.

The current $17 chance needed the run on Saturday to be at full fitness for the Caulfield feature, but with the meeting likely to be rescheduled anytime in the next few days, punters that backed Gingernuts in the all-in market might be disappointed.

Ellis later confirmed that Gingernuts will now target a possible meeting with Winx in the Cox Plate or the Emirate Stakes.

Hawke’s Bay Racing Manager Butch Castles was evidently frustrated with the outcome, but stated that all the correct protocols were followed to determine the meeting’s fate.

“The RIU are to be congratulated with the way they went through the process,” Castles said. “Last time we suffered the same fate in the Hawke’s Bay the process was poor, it was non-existent.

“This time around the right process was followed, the opportunity to re-mediate the track was taken and it was then reinspected and the jockeys came to their decision, which is the right thing to do.”

Castles was adamant that the track managers couldn’t see the forecast coming as the rain was expected to come after the running of the Livamol Classic.

“At the end of the day, it’s one of those things of nature,” he said. “We look to the weather forecast, we look to all sorts of things to see how the track is prepared.

“I was very comfortable and am very comfortable with the way Richard (Fenwick, track manager) prepared the track for today.

Bet365.com sign up bonus

“Some rain appeared very late in the week and a lot of it was saying after 4pm, but it started here at 10:30.”

Punters knew that once Bostonian slipped after the running of the Hawke’s Bay Guineas that the meeting would likely be abandoned and Castles said anytime a horse slips the meeting is likely to get called off.

“One horse has taken a false step past the winning post, but as soon as that happens the jockeys have their livelihood at stake and no one can blame them for taking the option they did,” Castles said.

“It’s extremely unfortunate, but I just know the way things were done was right, given the forecast that was prevalent at the time.”

Reluctant to lay blame on anyone, Castles made mention of how the abandonment will negatively affect an already struggling club.

“It’s gut-wrenching,” he said. “Financially it’s a massive blow to Hawke’s Bay Racing, who as everyone probably knows is not the most financially sound club in the world anyway, but safety is the most important thing.

“Those guys and girls (jockeys) are going home safe.”

As for the rescheduling of the Livamol Classic, Castles didn’t believe the club would run the meeting on Sunday or Monday, and instead will try slot the group one into another meeting later this month.

“We quickly looked at some options… tomorrow is not an option with the races at Te Aroha and the Monday is an option, but the forecast of up to 50ml of rain over tomorrow and morning, that quickly doesn’t become an option,” Castles said.

“We are looking at the possibility of rescheduling the group one into another programme over the next few weeks. I’d like to think we’d be in a position late on Monday to hopefully suggest that this race be relocated.

“We don’t have many group one weight-for-age $250,000 races in New Zealand. It’s test match stuff for so many of the connections, so we have to try and relocate it.”

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments