Nomination mix up forces Te Akau to fork out late acceptance fees
NEW Zealand racing powerhouse Te Akau Racing has indicated it will pay late entries for both Melody Belle and Shocking Luck in upcoming Doomben group one races.
Both horses were inadvertently left out of the early Wednesday acceptances.
In a statement released via Twitter Wednesday afternoon, the Te Akau Racing said: “Unfortunately due to a communication misunderstanding around the deadline, the first acceptances for Shocking Luck in the Queensland Derby and Melody Belle in the J.J. Atkins Stakes were late.
“We will submit late nominations for both horses, who, provided all is well, after definite starters. Whilst we are disappointed, Te Akau accepts full responsibility and has rectified the matter accordingly.”
Update re: Shocking Luck and Melody Belle pic.twitter.com/UfktjEtiWB
— Te Akau Racing (@TeAkauRacing) May 31, 2017
Late-entry payments of $18,000 are required for Shocking Luck and Melody Belle to come back into their respective fields by June 7’s final acceptances.
$18k Late entry payments will be required nxt Wed for Shocking Luck ( Derby) – Melody Belle (Atkins ) -$45k if choose to run Splurge (Strad)
— STEVE HEWLETT ??⚓️ (@stevejoseph69) May 31, 2017
The Te Akau statement has allayed fears for punters given both were prominent in their respective markets..
Despite still being listed as not nominated in Sportsbet.com.au’s JJ Atkins market, Melody Belle remains as the $2.50 favourite.
Shocking Luck, which will take part in the Queensland Derby on the same day, was on the third line of betting before odds were suspended.
After first acceptances on Wednesday there were 27 horses remaining in the Stradbroke, 24 in the Derby and 17 in the J.J. Atkins Stakes.