O’Shea denied request to scratch Mogador at Eagle Farm
THE newly-reformed Eagle Farm track has come under scrutiny today with John O’Shea requesting to scratch Mogador from the Group 3 W.J. Healy Stakes due to its inside barrier draw.
O’Shea contacted Queensland Racing chief steward Allan Reardon asking for the current $3.80 favourite with Sportsbet to be withdrawn from the race having watched the inside runners struggle in the first four races.
Queensland stewards denied his request as the track had not been downgraded, but since returning to the racing scene, the Eagle Farm track has chopped out and had a clear track-bias towards the outside running.
“These are extenuating circumstances,” O’Shea said. “I was informed that with the rail out six metres that the track would be OK but that isn’t the case.”
Most runners coming along the inside have struggled and it has created a precedent to go towards the outside rail. Punters should be putting a line through horses which haven’t been able to get to the outside.
“I don’t want his run to be a waste of time,” O’Shea said. “He doesn’t need the practice.”
There has been plenty of outcry on Twitter with some people siding with O’Shea and others suggesting he could have scratched the horse earlier in the week. In O’Shea’s defense, the Eagle Farm track was expected to play fair, but it clearly needs more time.
The conditions should suit the Ciaron Maher-trained Azkadellia in the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara. The mare has drifted to $2.70 at Crownbet which is a great price.