Nolen hospitalised after mounting yard incident at Sandown
All races were pushed back one race at Sandown on Wednesday after Star Magic lashed out in the mounting yard, kicking three people.
The Peter Moody-trained two-year-old was set to debut in a 1000m 2YO Fillies Handicap when she kicked out in the parade ring.
Star Magic reportedly kicked her strapper in the head, while jockey Luke Nolen was injured and taken to hospital, causing him to be stood down for the remainder of the meeting.
Godolphin representative Sean Keogh was quick to the scene to assist by grabbing a hold of the loose two-year-old, telling the media afterwards that “it was pretty straightforward”.
Racing Victoria steward Rob Montgomery spoke with Racing.com prior to the running of the second race.
“When they were parading prior to race two, one of the horses – Peter Moody’s horse actually – lashed out and cleaned up three (people): the strapper, the jockey and the stable foreman,” Montgomery said.
“It was a bad incident. We’ve had to delay the race.
“Fortunately, Luke Nolen is OK, Ms Coleman is OK and the strapper is OK, so they’re going to hospital for observations, but we’re moving on.
“We’re lucky enough that we are close to a hospital, and we’ve got one pretty quickly, so we’re right to go.”
Star Magic eventually took her place in the field of eight, leading for most of the 1000m journey under replacement rider Blaike McDougall.
The daughter of Star Turn gave a good sight but finished fourth, just one length away from the impressive race favourite, Va Via, who was the only horse in the field that had previously raced.
"Storms over the top of them…"
Va Via just needed a run to show her class today 💪@godolphin pic.twitter.com/mLaC9cowCh
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 2, 2022